The Second Vatican Council (1962–65) was an ecumenical council that sought to bring spiritual renewal to the Roman Catholic Church according to the theme of aggiornamento (Italian: “bringing up to date”). Among the most significant modernizing changes introduced by the council (commonly called Vatican II) were the use of vernacular languages instead of Latin in the celebration of mass and greater participation by laypeople during mass. The liturgy of the Eucharist was changed so that the priest faces the congregation during the rite. Additionally, many religious orders relaxed their requirements regarding garb for their members, such as the traditional nuns’ habits.
Vatican II also resulted in important church documents that addressed such issues as acknowledging the church’s role in antisemitism and recognizing the legitimacy of non-Christian religions, particularly Judaism and Islam.