Karol Józef Wojtyła was born in Wadowice, Poland, in 1920. He survived the Nazi occupation of Poland, working in a quarry and a chemical factory while secretly studying for the priesthood, and was ordained a priest in 1946. He rose through the ranks of the Polish clergy, becoming Archbishop of Kraków and later a cardinal, before being elected pope in 1978 — the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years.
As Pope John Paul II, he led the Catholic Church for more than 26 years, one of the longest pontificates in history. He traveled to over 100 countries, was a vocal supporter of human rights, and is widely credited with helping to encourage the peaceful collapse of Communist rule in his native Poland and across Eastern Europe. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981 and later personally forgave the man who shot him. He died in 2005 and was canonized by Pope Francis in 2014.
Saint John Paul II
Pope from 1978 to 2005
A Polish priest who became one of the most widely traveled popes in history, serving for over 26 years and helping to inspire the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. saa
- Born
- 1920
- Died
- 2005
- Birthplace
- Wadowice, Poland
- Died in
- Vatican City
- Country
- Poland
- Canonised
- 2014-04-27
- Century
- 20th century
Categories
Why People Pray to Saint John Paul II
Saint John Paul II is invoked by young people, for whom he had a particular pastoral concern (he founded World Youth Day), and by those seeking courage in the face of persecution or forgiveness toward those who have wronged them.
“Be not afraid.”
