One of the most important Church figures of the second half of the 20th century was Pope John XXIII. When he was elected to be pope, it was during a time when no other figure had risen to the top, and being older, it was expected that his papacy would be short and uneventful.  He was a presumed caretaker pope. Little did they know.
    
Within a year after becoming pope, Good Pope John (as he was known) made the unexpected decision to call an Ecumenical Council of the Church, which we know as the Second Vatican Council, the most consequential religious event of the century.
    
John was a short, roly-poly guy, with a great smile and loving personality. He was considered to be a grandfather figure. 
    
Sadly, Pope John died after the first session of the Council he had called. Pope Paul VI followed him and continued the Council.
    
We will celebrate his feast day this Wednesday, Oct. 11.