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September 26, 1897–August 6, 1978
Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Milan, Paul VI Pontifical Institute, Second Vatican Council
Pope St. Paul VI guided the Catholic Church through one of the most important periods of its modern history. As pope from 1963 to 1978, he completed the work of the Second Vatican Council and led the Church in implementing its teachings during a time of great change.
He was born Giovanni Battista Montini on September 26, 1897, in Concesio, Italy. His family was deeply involved in Catholic and civic life, and from an early age he developed a strong sense of faith and service. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1920, he began working in the Vatican’s diplomatic service, where he served for many years assisting the Holy See in its global mission.
In 1954 he was appointed Archbishop of Milan, where he became known for his pastoral concern for workers, families, and those living on the margins of society. His experience there deepened his commitment to bringing the Gospel to the modern world.
In 1963, following the death of Pope St. John XXIII, he was elected pope, taking the name Paul VI. One of his first major responsibilities was guiding the Second Vatican Council to its conclusion in 1965. The council addressed the Church’s relationship with the modern world, encouraged renewed participation in the liturgy, and promoted dialogue with other Christians and with people of other religions.
The pope worked diligently to implement these reforms while maintaining continuity with the Church’s traditions. He also became the first pope in modern times to travel internationally, visiting countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas to strengthen the Church’s missionary spirit.
His 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae reaffirmed the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of human life and the moral responsibilities within marriage.
Pope St. Paul VI died on August 6, 1978. He is recognized for his humility, perseverance, and faith during a challenging era. Pope Francis canonized him in 2018.
Pope St. Paul VI played a crucial role in guiding the Second Vatican Council to completion. The council was convened in 1962 by Pope St. John XXIII to address the Church’s relationship with the modern world and to renew aspects of Church life. When John XXIII died in 1963, the newly elected pope made it clear that the council would continue. He presided over its remaining sessions and helped guide the bishops of the world as they discussed and approved its major documents. After the council concluded in 1965, he also assumed responsibility for implementing its teachings, encouraging renewal in areas such as liturgy, ecumenical dialogue, and the Church’s missionary outreach.
Published in 1968, Humanae Vitae addressed the moral responsibilities of married couples and reaffirmed the Church’s long-standing teaching about the necessity for openness of spouses to the gift of life. At a time when new forms of artificial contraception were becoming widely available and debated, Paul VI carefully examined the issue with the help of theologians, physicians, and married couples. The encyclical emphasized the dignity of human life, the sanctity of marriage, and the importance of responsible parenthood. Although the document was widely discussed and sometimes controversial, it remains a central statement of Catholic teaching on marriage, family life, and the protection of human life.
Pope St. Paul VI transformed the modern papacy by traveling outside Italy to meet Catholics and people of other faiths worldwide. In 1964, he made a historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land, becoming the first pope in many centuries to visit the region where Jesus lived. He later traveled to countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. In 1965, he also became the first pope to address the United Nations General Assembly, where he spoke about the need for peace among nations. These journeys symbolized the Church’s universal mission and demonstrated the pope’s desire to build dialogue and understanding in a rapidly changing world.
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Pope St. Paul VI, author of Humanae Vitae, and Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger engage in a discussion about family, poverty, and what truly drives Sanger’s mission. Part 1 of 2.
As they continue their debate, author of Humanae Vitae Pope St. Paul VI discovers what fuels Margaret Sanger’s hatred of Church teachings and why she truly founded Planned Parenthood. Part 2 of 2.
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