A Man Called John describes Roncalli's peasant background, the years of obscure diplomatic toil on behalf of the Holy See, and his return to Italy as Cardinal Patriarch of Venice—all culminating in his unlikely election as Pope John XXIII in October 1958. The last third of the book is devoted to a detailed description of the Pope's efforts at engaging with all of humanity—Catholic and Protestant, Christian and Non-Christian alike. Early on, the Pope was determined to convene an Ecumenical Council of the Church: