Optional Memorial of Pope St. John XXIII, 1881-1963; firstborn of a farming family in northern Italy; as a stretcher-bearer in World War I, he had a firsthand knowledge of war; in 1925, he became a papal diplomat; named a cardinal and patriarch of Venice in 1953; a month short of his 78th year, he was elected pope; his most famous encyclicals were "Mother and Teacher" and "Peace on Earth"
Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 10/11/24