John XXIII, Pope (1881-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary:  1963  Jun 6  p. 1, 3   

Birth date: 1881

text of obituary:

Pope's Death Suspends Ecumenical Council

Pope John XXIII died Monday night after having been gravely ill for about a week. He had, however, been in poor health for more than a year.

Death of the 81-year-old Catholic leader automatically suspended the Ecumenical Council which he brought into existence and which has been called “the greatest undertaking of his papacy.” It can be reconvened only on order of his successor.

Pope John's ambitious dream was that the world's 300 million Protestants might in some way be brought back into the fold of Catholicism. Vatican reports said his last words were: “Ut unum sint” (that they may be one); the prayer of Christ at the Last Supper.

It was estimated that perhaps a million persons would pass his bier at the public viewing in the Basilica of St. Peter's. Burial of the body was set for Thursday evening, in private ceremonies, also in the Basilica.

The College of Cardinals has already announced preparations for its secret election meeting later this month, at which time a new pope will be chosen.

Top candidate is believed to be Giovanni Battista Cardinal Montini, 65-year-old archbishop of Milan.