POPES

POPE ST. JOHN XXIII

• He was born in 1881 to a family of peasant farmers
• He entered the seminary when he was 12, and was ordained at age 23
• In 1915, he was called to millitary service as a chaplain
• He was nominated archbishop of Aeropolis in 1925
• 1953- became cardinal patriarch of venice, 1958 was elected pope

POPE ST. JOHN XXIII

• He named 23 new cardinals-broke a longstanding traditon
• He visited orphanages and hospitals
• He discontinued the tradition of the pope dining alone
• His greatest surprise was in 1959- announced ecumenical council
• During his speech, he warned against "the prophets of doom"

POPE ST. JOHN XXIII

• He brought a positive attitude with him wherever he went
• He was always willing to listen to what other people had to say
• Saw the church in a new way- a garden rather than a museum
• Decided to have Vatican II, which renewed the church
• He issued 8 encyclicals- most important documents of Christianity

POPE ST. JOHN XXIII

• Wisdom- understood our faith is important compared to our possessions
• Piety- he perfected the virtue of religion through his kind works
• Knowledge- his faith was perfect and his compassion for others showed it
• "A peaceful man does more good than a learned one"

POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II

• He was born in Poland in May 1920
• He enrolled in the Jagellonian University of Krakow in 1938
• Nazis shut down his school so he worked as a quarry in a chemical factory
• 1942- he felt called to the priesthood,began at major seminary of Krakow
• He returned to Poland- became bishop and later became pope in 1978

POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II

• He was the longest serving pope of the 20th century
• He wrote 5 books that were published during his papacy
• He made 9 trips to Poland-most traveled Pope in all of history
• He survived an assassination attempt in 1981
• Served 26 years as Pope- declared 482 saints, beatified 1,338 people

POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II

• He was always doing things for the poor
• Many people credit him for causing the fall of communism in Poland
• Despite age he continued to travel the world-increased character of papacy
• Pursued ecumenicism-took various steps to improve relations with Jews
• 1995-his encyclical reasserted Church's condemnation of abortion, etc.

POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II

• Piety-was always doing things to perfect the faith (his encyclicals)
• Wisdom- he understood what it meant to be Christian-always travelled
• Fortitude- even when he was old, he found the strength to keep travelling
• "Freedom consists not doing what we like,but in having the right to do what we ought"

POPE FRANCIS

• He was born in Argentina on December 17, 1936
• After high school, he enrolled at University tof Argentina-studied chemistry
• In March 1958, he entered the Society of Jesuits
• Was ordained a priest in 1969, and 1992 was named bishop of Auca
• On March 13, 2013 at the age of 76, he was named the 266th Pope

POPE FRANCIS

• Tackling financial corruption-set up a financial inquiry for the Vatican Bank
• Laid out vision for economic justice- offered a defense for the poor/critiqued capitalism
• Suspended the "bling pope"- he lives a humble life, not worrrying about material things
• Called a synod on family issues- discussed marriage equality, divorce, etc.
• Polling of world's Catholics- bishops had to fill out a survey- asked for opinions on family issues

POPE FRANCIS

• Improved relations with people who were seen as enemies- middle east peace
• Is totally committed to reconciliation between the Church and Israel
• Encouraged people to not have hate towards Jews anymore
• Met with Patriarch of Constantinople-expressed concern for persecuted Christians
• Encourages us to rediscover the Jewish roots of our faith

POPE FRANCIS

• Counsel- he knows how to act like a perfect Christian(humility)
• Wisdom- he knows a lot about Christianity, and what it takes to unite people
• Piety- he understands Christianity, and doesn't concern himself with material things
• "The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who who tire of asking for forgiveness"