The body of the canonized Pope John XXIII. was unearthed on Tuesday during a mass to mark the 60th anniversary of the start of Vatican II. John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council and presided over its early stages before dying on June 3, 1963 at the age of 81. The mass on Tuesday at St. Peter’s Basilica was celebrated by Pope Francis.
The Remains of John XXIII. were displayed in a display case in the nave of the basilica in front of the central confessional altar. Pope John XXIII officially opened the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962 with a solemn ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica. Nearly 2,800 Catholic cardinals, patriarchs and bishops from around the world attended the council, which lasted until December 8, 1965. At that time, John XXIII’s successor, Paul VI, was already in office.
Historic Church Modernization Meeting
The Second Vatican Council was the last decision-making meeting of all the bishops of the Catholic Church. The Council Fathers discussed in St. Peter’s Basilica how the Church can proclaim its message under the conditions of the modern world and ideological pluralism.
Further topics were a reform of the liturgy and priestly training, the unity of Christians and the reconciliation of the Church and Judaism. The Council Fathers drafted 16 documents: four constitutions, nine decrees, and three declarations.
Vatican II was the 21st Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church. The sessions were also attended by more than 100 observers from non-Catholic churches and communities.
Source: Krone
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