Aggioramento at the Second Vatican Council

Paper Summary:

Pope John XXIII was a supposed to be a transitional pope, but instead he became one of the most influential popes in the history of the Church. He called the important and famous Second Vatican Council with the main emphasis being on 'aggiornamento', which means 'an updating.' This paper discusses the need for an updating within the Church, and also the role that updating played in the Church.

From the Paper:

"Pope John XXIII was elected to be a transitional pope; he was seventy-six years old when he was elected to the position. He had succeeded Pope Pius XII, a man whom was considered by some to be a Nazi-sympathizer because of his silence during the Holocaust. John XXIII was seen as a frail, old man, so it was much to everyone's surprise when he called for a Second Vatican Council. John XXIII made the announcement on January 25, 1959, but he remained very vague about his intentions of the council. He made the announcement after a Christian-unity celebration in St. Paul's Basilica. (1) After his announcement, Catholics understood his plans as calling for a council of unity; John XXIII assured them that it wouldn't be a council of unity, but rather a council that would serve the cause of unity. One of the long-term goals would be Christian unity. Another point that was made was the council might represent a new beginning for the Catholic Church."

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