POPE JOHN XXIII

BIOGRAPHY

• Born Angelo Rancalli in Bergamo ,Italy
• During religious training, he saved the lives of jews fleeing the Nazis
• Made Archbishop in 1925 and as bishop fostered harmony among Turkish and Greek ethnic groups
• Born poor, but of humble and respected folk, I am particularly happy to die poor"—John XXIII.Spiritual Testament. 1954 p.343, Journal of a Soul

PAPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Issued the " Mater et Magistra", an encyclical emphasizing the need of social justice in nations
• Opened first session of Vatican II in which changes were made to structure,liturgy and the church itself
• Wrote the "Pacem in Terris" teaching that peace must be built on love, justice and truth

Significance to church
-Pope john XXIII stressed Christian unity and wrote several encyclicals addressing labor and colonialism. He made the church a more humble operation, and his Vatican II reforms changed the church in a positive way.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Understanding
Considering he grew as a simple peasant, John XXIII always understood humbleness. His understanding of Jesus' true message in being humble and giving was seen throughout his life and papacy. He had an excellent understanding of the faith and what we Catholics really need.

POPE JOHN PAUL II

BIOGRAPHY

• Became priest secretly during the nazi occupation
• Made archbishop of Krakow in 1958
• In 1967 he was made a cardinal
• Elected pope in 1978
• “A person's rightful due is to be treated as an object of love, not as an object for use.” ― John Paul II, Love and Responsibility

PAPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Visited Rome's synagogue, and was the first pope to do so since the times of the apostles
• Eased issues with communism and was a driving force behind the fall of the Berlin wall
• Started national youth day
• Canonized 482 saints

Significance to church
Pope John Paul II brought change to the church. Being the first non- Italian pope in 455 years, he changed the image of the the Catholic Church. He built bridges between different religions, and confronted world leaders to change social conditions of their people.

Gift of the Holy Spirit
Fortitude
Pope John Paul II facing challenges immediately due to the Cold War and rise of communism. He showed courage in visiting countries behind the iron curtain of the Soviet Union and eventually brought down communism using diplomacy

POPE BENEDICT XVI

BIOGRAPHY

• Born Joseph Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany
• Ordained a priest in 1951
• Taught theology at various universities from 1953-1969
• Appointed Archbishop of of Munich and Freising in 1977
• Elected pope in 2005 following death of John Paul II

PAPAL ACCOMPLISMENTS

• Pushed hard to reunify the society of Saint Pius X woth the church
• Set up a mechanism for Anglicans to return to the church
• Corrected the translation of The Catechism of the Catholic church

Significance to the church-
Benedict XVI significance is that he reoriented the church. He tried his best to appoint qualified Bishops and Cardinals and made sure all clergy were teaching the full extent of the Catholic faith.

Gift of the Holy Spirit
Fear of god
Throughout his papacy he stressed loving and being graceful in the name of The Lord p.

POPE FRANCIS

BIOGRAPHY

• Jorge Bergoglio was born in Flores, Buenos Aires
• Entered Society of Jesus in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969
• In 1992 he was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires
• Created Cardinal in 2001
• Became pope in 2013

Papal accomplishments
He's brought modesty to the church by not living in the lavish papal apartments and cutting down on Vatican spending. Also, he's met with several world leaders encouraging peace among nations.

Significance to the church
He brings a better feeling to the church, a feeling of kindness and genuine personality that the church has lost over the years.

Gift of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom
Francis shows wisdom by realizing he too is a human and one of Gods children.