Pope St. John XXIII Wooden Doll Ornament

Handmade original Pope St. John XXIII wooden doll ornament. Perfect for the Christmas Tree. Bring out on feast day or for a Novena. Gift for a birthday or sacrament (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Marriage) celebration. Teacher, priest, grandparent gift.

Affectionately called “The Good Pope,” he was born to a large poor sharecropping family in northern Italy in 1881, always proud of his down-to-earth roots. Graduating from college, ordained a priest in 1904; later drafted into the Italian army in 1914 as a chaplain and stretcher-bearer, giving him a firsthand knowledge of war. He worked in many church programs throughout his career: Society for the Propagation for the Faith, saved thousands of Jews in WWII (named the ”Righteous Gentile”), nuncio in France, and Apostolic delegate to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. In 1958 he was unexpectedly elected Pope and in 1962 he called an ecumenical council (Vatican II). With wit and a pudgy physique, he took his work seriously but not himself, his “ordinariness” one of his memorable qualities. Stayed out the limelight but met with political leaders, including resolution in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Died of stomach cancer in 1963. Patron of Papal delegates, Vatical II Council. Feast Day: October 11

Made of wood, felt, ribbon, and handmade accessories. Includes tag and card with Saint's biography and description. Approximately 4" tall. Packaged in cellophane bag. Shipped in box with bubble wrap.