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What major church council did Pope John XXIII announce in 1959?
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St. John XXIII
Pope John XXIII said the goal of his papacy was to “bring the church up to date” and regenerate Catholic faith.
In 1959, Pope John XXIII announced the Second Vatican Council, also known as Vatican II, on January 25.12
He initiated this ecumenical council as a means of spiritual renewal for the Roman Catholic Church and to foster unity among Christians. The central theme of the council was aggiornamento, an Italian term meaning "bringing up to date," which guided the church's efforts to modernize its liturgy and address the needs of the contemporary world. The council officially opened on October 11, 1962, and concluded on December 8, 1965, with its later sessions overseen by his successor, Paul VI.12