Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1881, Pope John XXIII is remembered as one of the most popular popes of all time.
Over the course of his tenure as pope, John XXIII initiated several reforms, which included summoning the first ecumenical council in almost a century. His dream of a united Christianity lead some to resist and others to celebrate his progressiveness.
Half a century after his death, Pope John XXIII is to be canonized on April 27 alongside Pope John Paul II in the Catholic Church's first-ever dual canonization.
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Here is a look back at Pope John XXIII's life:
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Ange Joseph Roncalli (1881-1963) young future pope John XXIII (Photo by Apic/Getty Images)
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Portrait taken in 1905 of Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, future Pope John XXIII, at the age of 24 when he was secretary to Bishop de Bergamo in Northern Italy. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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Portrait of the future Pope John XXIII between 1915 and 1918 at Bergamo, Northern Italy, when he was military chaplain. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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Pope Pius XII poses with Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. The latter will succeed him to the papal throne in 1958 under the name of John XXIII. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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Mass Blessing Of The New Underground Basilica 'Pius X' By Monsignor Roncalli, Patriarch Of Venice (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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October 28, 1958 at the Vatican. The cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli is crowned pope under the name of John XXIII. He is carried in the stairway of St. Peter's Basilica, surrounded by papal guards and preceded by his cameriere. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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Vatican City, Hm The Queen Elizabeth Ii And Prince Philip Meet Pope John Xxiii In May 1961. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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Pope John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) (1881 - 1963) walking through the crowds in St Peter's Square, at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rome. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
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Pope John XXIII (1881- 1963), originally Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Pope from 1958 - 1963. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Pope John XXIII, originally Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, pope (1958 to 1963). (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
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