Why Was Vatican II Called? In His Opening Speech, John XXIII Explains It All

Pope John XXIII arrives at St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 11, 1962, to open the first session of the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican.

Pope St. John XXIII’s opening address, ‘Gaudet Mater Ecclesia,’ remains one of the best ways to understand the importance of the Second Vatican Council as a whole.