Documents of the Second Vatican Council

(1962 - 1965)

Second Vatican Council

On 9th October 1958, Pope Pius XII died. He was succeeded on 28th October by Cardinal Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli, who took the papal name John XXIII. Pope John was 77 years old and was elected as a 'stop gap' pope following Pius's long (19 year) reign. Nothing was expected of him, except that he keep the seat of Peter warm for his assumed successor, Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini of Milan. It is thought that Montini would have been elected in the 1958 conclave, but was not considered as Pius XII failed to elevate him to the cardinalate during his papacy. Under Church law, any Catholic male can be elected pope, but as a rule, only cardinals will in fact be considered.

Following his election, John gave Archbishop Montini his red hat, thus ensuring his legibility as a candidate for the papacy at the next conclave.

His next action was completely unexpected: On 25th January 1959, John announced that he intended to convene an ecumenical council. Why? On one occasion, when asked this question, John got up from his seat, threw open the window of his study and said, "I want to throw open the windows of the Church so that we can see out and the people can see in."

The Catholic Church today lives in the light and fresh air of the teachings of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council. So that you might learn more about what the council said, please find below are links to its Constitutions, Declarations and Decrees at the Vatican web site.