Pope John XXIII

Doctrinal:

In regards to doctrinal significance Pope John XXIII had a large impact as he made many great contributions such as, he edited 39 volumes from St. Charles Borromeo, Pope John XXIII also encouraged biblical scholarship and as a result stated “History is the teacher of life”. One of the most significant doctrinal contributions were his encyclicals, although he wrote eight, only two were associated with the Second Vatican Council, these were “Mother and Teacher” and “Peace on Earth”. Both of these address major concerns that the world was facing. In addition the Pastoral Constitution (on the church in the modern world – written by Pope John XXIII) was one of the most significant documents to emerge from the Vatican 2 as it challenged the Catholic Church to respond to the needs and wants of the modern world, to all areas of human life. These documents as well as himself provided a new basis for the Church Teachings, resulting in the fact that Pope John XXIII was doctrinally significant.    

Impact/Ongoing Legacy:

Pope John XXIII has made such a large impact that his alterations have remained even to this very day. Through his personality, teaching methods and initiatives with world leaders he gave the papacy a new vision and set the church towards a new mission for the world. He is honored by many Protestant organizations as a Christian reformer and renewer of the Church; he also promoted and was a role model for religious freedom and respect for all religions. Many religious figure heads have made quotes directed at him; this supports his impact and importance. “One of the truly great popes of Roman Catholic History”. (Booth)

Social/Moral:

Pope John XXIII was known as the “Good Pope” (due to his concern for others) as he made himself available to all people. In the quote “The priest who lives in the light of Christ cannon pass by on the other side of the road… Christ’s preference goes to the disinherited, the weak and the opposed” it addresses the fact that we should all treat everybody equal, with respect, trust and love. Pope John XXIII had a strong moral conscience and as a result constantly visited the outcasts of society, such as prisoners, communist, elderly or infirmed. He also gave grace to ordinary people, even non-Christians as he embraced ecumenism. He taught us that people are equal no matter what religion and acted as an advocate for the strugglers of justice and thus the reason he was universally loved.    

Politically:

Pope John XXIII was a leader and had an immense political power which greatly impacted on many people.  He condemned the Cold War (nuclear usage) and exiled Fidel Castro from the Church. He was an ambassador to the Vatican and reached out to the Communist Russia for a peace promotion. Pope John XXIII was a promoter for diplomacy and peace in order to resolve conflict and constantly urged world leaders to work together towards peace.

To conclude, Pope John XXIII remained impactual throughout his life, up to his death in 1963, due to cancer. His major areas of contribution were in the fields of positional/institutional, doctrinal, social/moral and through his ongoing legacy. These enabled him to become connected with the people and in return remove the barrier between Christians and other religions.