Pope John XXIII leads the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 11, 1962. A total of 2,540 cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops and bishops from around the world attended the opening session. Pope Benedict XVI will mark the 50th anniversary of the council opening and kick off the Year of Faith with an Oct. 11 Mass in St. Peter’s Square. (CNS photo/Giancarlo Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)
