The Second Vatican Council, held from 1962 to 1965, brought significant reforms to the Catholic Church, including the implementation of vernacular Masses and increased lay participation. These changes aimed to modernize the Church and make it more accessible to the faithful, reflecting a shift towards engagement with contemporary society. Vatican II's impact was profound, as it reshaped Catholic worship and community life, influencing millions of Catholics around the world.

The impact of Vatican II on global Catholicism democratized religious expression, leading to a flourishing of postcolonial and liberation poetry in Latin America. Poets like Pablo Neruda and Octavio Paz incorporated themes of faith, social justice, and cultural identity into their works.