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Vatican II: Reforming the Catholic Church

When Pope John XXIII initiated sweeping changes at the Vatican, plus the ground-breaking women's publisher Virago, and the birth of India's call centres.

In January 1959 Pope John XXIII announced a council of all the world's Catholic bishops and cardinals in Rome. It led to sweeping reforms. Plus Carmen Callil recalls setting up Virago, the most successful feminist publishing house to date; India gives birth to the call centres and remembering the Carry-on films.

(Photo; Pope John XXIII at the Vatican. Credit: Getty Images)

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53 minutes

Last on

Tue 29 Jan 201900:06GMT
BBC World Service

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  • Sat 26 Jan 201915:06GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet
  • Sun 27 Jan 201915:06GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
  • Tue 29 Jan 201900:06GMT
    BBC World Service

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