Born: 25 November 1881 · Died: 3 June 1963 · Age at death: 81
How old was John XXIII when he died?
John XXIII died aged 81. He was born on 25 November 1881 and died on 3 June 1963.
Italian pope known as Good Pope John, who called the Second Vatican Council and was later declared a saint
Did you know?During the Second World War, he saved thousands of Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by issuing transit visas and temporary identity papers.
Quick facts
Date of birth25 November 1881
Date of death3 June 1963
Age at death81
Cause of deathStomach cancer
NationalityItalian
BirthplaceSotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII, Italy
OccupationLatin Catholic priest, transitional deacon, Latin Catholic bishop
Editor's Take:
Pope John XXIII was expected to be a short caretaker pope, but he changed the Catholic Church. Born to a poor farming family near Bergamo, he spent years as a Vatican diplomat in Bulgaria, Turkey and France. In Istanbul he helped Jews escape the Holocaust. Elected in 1958 at 76, he surprised everyone by calling the Second Vatican Council. It opened the Church to the modern world. His warmth and humour won him the name "Good Pope John". He was made a saint in 2014.
Key Milestones
1904: Ordained – priest
1944: Paris – nuncio to France
1958: Pope – elected
1962: Vatican II – council opens
Pope John XXIII (born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli; 25 November 1881 – 3 June 1963) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 28 October 1958 until his death on 3 June 1963.
