1963: Italy: POPE JOHN XXIII
A TRIBUTE
At no time in history did the lingering illness of a Pope cause such concern among peoples of all faiths as did that of Pope John XXIII. Protestant and Jew, Buddhist and Catholic - all prayed for the man who had become a symbol of interfaith cooperation and goodwill. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli became a Cardinal in 1953 and a brilliant career as a Papal diplomat led him to the throne of St. Peter in 1958. He plunged energetically into the duties of office and became known as the "Pope of Peace" and noted for his calling an Ecumenical Council to work for Church reform and the Unity of all Faiths.