The Ballplayer

Charles liked to play ball. He liked to make music (he could play at least two different instruments). He also liked to read and write literature.

These were just his hobbies. He worked fulltime for his uncle. It was a very full fulltime job, because his uncle was the Pope and he worked as his uncle’s right-hand man: administering various matters, negotiating with numerous governments, and even helping to convoke, manage, and implement an Ecumenical Council.

Charles eventually was given responsibility for a large archdiocese. He cared for the people while also doing whatever he could (and that was a lot) to foster reform throughout the Church.

St. Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, died there of a streptococcus infection 420 years ago yesterday at the age of 46.


His feast, celebrated today, is also the name day feast of Pope John Paul II, whose baptismal name is Charles (Karol in Polish).