The contribution of Pope John XXIII has been profound, as many of his initiatives and actions are still resonating today. His acceptance of Jesus’ words “I came to save all nations.” Represented his motivation to do well and bring peace upon the world. He was an advocate of Christian unity, social justice, human rights and the promotion of world peace. It is through his development of the Second Vatican Council, his contribution to ecumenism and his empathy for humanity that Pope John XXIII made a significant impact upon the development and expression of Christianity.

The essence of the contribution made by Pope John XXIII was his calling together of the Second Vatican Council that aimed to address modernisation of the Catholic Church,
An interfaith dialogue worked to allow Christians to express their beliefs more openly without oppression, “he demonstrated that the walls that divide Christianity do not reach as high as heaven, and made a start toward that distant and elusive goal, Christian unity” – Time magazine 1962. Further evidence of his impact on interfaith dialogue is the Declaration of Religious Freedom, coming from the Vatican II conference where he recognised the rights of all religions.

The encyclicals of Pope John XXIII heighten the importance of human life and values. His support for the oppressed, matters of social justice and measure of social transformation were directly addressed in two of his encyclicals. Mater et Magistra advocated social justice, assistance to underdeveloped countries and support for all socialist measures that had benefit to society. He reiterates the importance of world leaders acting as mothers when he says in his encyclical Mater et Magistra “we are aware of our responsibility to take up this torch which our predecessors lighted, and hand it on with undiminished flame.” His infamous encyclical speech on peace, Pacem in Terris, was the first to address not just Catholics but “to all men of good will”. It projected a vision based on the rights and respects of every human. These documents altered the way the Catholic Church approached social issues. He underpinned the universal significance of world