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Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II; Polish: Jan Paweł II; Italian: Giovanni Paolo II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła, Polish: [ˈkarɔl ˈjuzɛv vɔjˈtɨwa]; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his death in 2005.
Jun 27, 2024 · John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism.
Apr 2, 2014 · Pope John Paul II was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, and became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964. He was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967, and in 1978 became the...
Jul 22, 2019 · Learn about the life and ministry of Karol Wojtyła, who became Pope John Paul II in 1978 and served until his death in 2005. He was a Polish priest, theologian, philosopher, writer, and traveler who visited 104 countries and wrote 14 encyclicals.
Saint John Paul II, orig. Karol Wojtyła, (born May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Pol.—died April 2, 2005, Vatican City; beatified May 1, 2011; canonized April 27, 2014; feast day October 22), Pope (1978–2005), the bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first ever from a Slavic country.
Explore the life and legacy of Pope John Paul II, the first Polish and non-Italian pontiff in history, on the official Vatican website.
On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was the victim of an attempted assassination in St. Peter’s Square. Shocking the world, he exhibited extraordinary love and forgiveness when he made a personal visit to his attacker, Ali Agca, in Rebibbia Prison in 1983.
