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| 1961, July 14 |
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| Pope John XXIII issued the encyclical Mater et magistra, stressing the need to search for social justice and condemning materialism. He appealed for aid to underdeveloped areas and asked that workers be given a greater voice in industry at all levels. | 1 |
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| 1962, Oct. 11 |
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| Pope John XXIII opened the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of 2,700 Roman Catholic prelates at Vatican City. | 2 |
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| 1963, April 10 |
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| The pope issued the encyclical Pacem in terris, which called for a world community of nations to ensure the peace. | 3 |
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| May 11 |
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| The pope called on Italian President Segni, in the first visit by a pope to a president of the Italian Republic. | 4 |
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| June 3 |
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| Pope John XXIII died in Vatican City at the age of 81, after one of the most notable pontificates in the history of the papacy. | 5 |
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| June 22 |
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| The sacred college of cardinals elected Giovanni Battista Montini pope (Paul VI). He was crowned on June 30 as the 262nd Roman Catholic pope. | 6 |
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| Sept. 29 |
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| Pope Paul VI reopened the Ecumenical Council with an appeal for the unity of all Christians. | 7 |
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| Dec. 4 |
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| The Vatican Council ended its second session after authorizing the use of vernacular languages in the mass and sacraments. | 8 |
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