# Second Vatican Council opens (1962)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1962-second-vatican-council-opens
Location: Vatican City
Themes: Council

John XXIII opens Vatican II, which reshapes Catholic liturgy and ecumenism. At this point in the timeline (11 October 1962), the Bishop of Rome was Pope John XXIII (28 October 1958 – 3 June 1963).

## Why it matters
Vatican II was the most consequential Catholic council since Trent.

Pope at the time: [Pope John XXIII](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-john-xxiii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Second Vatican Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Vatican_Council)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Second Vatican Council opens](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Second+Vatican+Council+opens)
- [Wikipedia — Modern Era (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_20th_century)