v18_2528 - ITALIE - ÉTATS DE L'ÉGLISE - JEAN XXIII (Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli) Médaille or de 3 ducats n.d. Rome

ITALY - PAPAL STATES - JOHN XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli)

(28/10/1958-3/6/1963)

Originally from the region of Bergamo, John XXIII came from a very modest family of peasants. Chaplain during the First World War, he began a diplomatic career in 1925. He was made cardinal in 1953 and was elected pope as successor to Pius XII after eleven ballots. During his pontificate, he would engage the Catholic Church in a transformation with the announcement of the Second Vatican Council in 1959. His successor Paul VI opened his process for beatification in 1968.