Pope : June 21, 1963 – August 6, 1978 Feast Day : September 26
Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini was born on September 26, 1897, in Concesio, Italy. Ordained in 1920, he spent many years working in the Vatican Secretariat of State. While there, he organized the Vatican’s massive relief work for political refugees during World War II. After being named “Pro-Secretary of State” in 1952, Montini was appointed Archbishop of Milan the following year and became known as the “archbishop of the workers.” He revitalized the diocese, preaching the Gospel’s social message and promoting both Catholic education and the Catholic press.
Pope John XXIII named Montini a cardinal in 1958 and soon after announced the Second Vatican Council. During the Council, however, Pope John XXIII died, and the well-respected Montini was elected on June 21, 1963, to succeed him, taking the name Paul VI. Committing himself to continuing the work begun by John XXIII, he continued the Council and then overcame resistance to implement reforms in the areas of liturgy, Church governance, and the attitudes of Catholics toward other religions. Though controversies surrounding ideas and encyclicals, especially 1968’s Humanae vitae, can be seen as overshadowing his pontificate, the reality is that Paul VI’s papacy and writings aimed constantly at working toward lasting justice and peace. He brought a message of human rights, human dignity, and human development to the world.
Known not only as a brilliant but also as a deeply spiritual, humble, and gentle man, Paul VI never failed to glimpse the radiant beauty of the transfigured Lord. It seems no coincidence, then, that he ended his earthly life on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, August 6, 1978. Pope Paul VI asked that his funeral be simple, and it’s this kind of humility that was remembered as he was beatified on October 19, 2014, and continues to shines forth today.
Born Giovanni Battista Montini, Paul VI is affectionately known as the pilgrim pope. The Church that we know today is deeply shaped by the Second Vatican Council and is in many ways a reflection of Paul VI’s pontificate.
PERSPECTIVES DAILY
FEB 20, 2018 – Pope Paul VI Will Be A Saint This Year
Who is Paul VI and why is he important for us today? He was elected 60 years ago this week, on June 21, 1963. This was right in the midst of the Second Vatican Council, ...read more
October 11, 2022 marks 60 years since the start of the Second Vatican Council. So what was Vatican II and why does it matter today? Vatican II was the biggest Church event in the 20th century, bringing together all the bishops of the Catholic Church – 2,625 of them! – with the pope and m ...read more
Pope Francis asks: Do we follow Jesus as lovers, really prepared to leave behind something for him? Read the full text of the homily here. ...read more
Read the full text of Blessed Pope Paul VI's Closing Messages of Vatican II in honour of his canonization taking place on October 14, 2018. ...read more
On Wednesday August 6, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord on Mount Tabor. We also remember with gratitude Venerable Pope Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini) who died this day thirty-six years ago at the age of 80. The Final Years of Pope Paul VI Excerpt from his Apostolic Exh ...read more
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