(Vatican Radio) On the eve of date on which Pope Francis will canonise Blessed John
XXIII join Veronica Scarisbrick as she delves into her personal archive to bring
you testimonies from some of those who lived through that era. Listen to
this programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick: This
programme provides you with an opportunity to listen once again to Vatican Radio
archive recordings of the election of Pope John, of the calling of the Second Vatican
Council as well as sound clips of some of his speeches in Italian . Among the
guests who share their personal testimonies are Cardinal William Wakefield Baum,
Monsignor Charles Burns, the late Princess Orietta Doria Pamphilj, the late Carmelite
Redemptus Valabek and the late Ursuline Sister Kathleen England. Some tell of
their feelings regarding this pope highlighting the charm and feeling of sanctity
that exuded from him. Others share memories of the excitement in Saint Peter's Square
on October 28,1958 when Pope John was elected, how many bandied about bewildered comments
when they discovered the newly elected pope was an elderly man. And others still
recount how the initial bewilderment swiftly muted into amazement at the speed with
which Pope John launched the Catholic Church into one of its most momentous epochs.