Pope John Paul II: Full coverage St Peter Formosus Hadrian IV Celestine Alexander VI Leo X Pius IX Pius XII Paul VI John XXIII John Paul I John Paul II

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Popes through history
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John XXIII - the beloved pope (1958-63)

After the lengthy papacy of Pius XII, Angelo Roncalli was seen as an interim pope.

He was 76 and not expected to be in office long enough to make any significant changes.

But John XXIII startled the Church by calling the Second Vatican Council.

It began a process of modernisation he likened to throwing open the windows of the Vatican.

He died less than five years after being elected. But the forces for change that he unleashed are still reverberating through the Church.

Four decades after his death, Pope John is remembered with affection by Catholics.

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