Second Vatican Council: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 4, 2026

Facts

Date	October 11, 1962 - December 8, 1965
Location	Vatican City
Participants	Roman Catholicism

Photos

Father of Vatican II

Large crowd fills St. Peter's Square as rows of Catholic bishops in white mitres process during the opening ceremonies of the Second Vatican Council in Vatican City.

Pope John XXIII is carried on a ceremonial chair beneath a canopy through a large crowd outside St. Peter's Basilica at the Second Vatican Council in Vatican City.

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Topics

Roman Catholicism council authority ecumenism Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy liturgy pastoral care laity Church

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Key People

John XXIII

St. John XXIII

pope

Pope Paul VI stands behind microphones with both arms raised, wearing white papal robes and glasses, during a public appearance in Geneva.

St. Paul VI

pope

Yves Congar, c. 1964

Yves Congar

French priest

Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre wearing a black clerical robe and a gold chain with a cross, posing outdoors in Econe, Switzerland.

Marcel Lefebvre

French archbishop