"Pope John Paul II" (1920 – 2005) Polish Pope

Pope John Paul II was a remarkable man who changed the course of history. He was born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920. His father was a non-commissioned army officer and his mother was a school teacher. His mother died when he was only 8 years old and his oldest brother died two years later. This left Karol with his father and a younger brother, Edmund.

At a young age, Karol was very religious and attended Mass every day. He was also very involved in the theater and poetry, which he wrote in Polish. He was an excellent student and earned his doctorate in philosophy from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. After World War II, Karol was ordained as a priest and became the Archbishop of Krakow in 1964. He was made a Cardinal in 1967 and took part in the Second Vatican Council. In 1978, he was elected Pope John Paul II, making him the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years. Pope John Paul II was a leader in the Catholic Church and an advocate for peace and human rights. He worked to improve relations between the Catholic Church and other religious denominations, as well as other countries. He also worked for social justice, poverty alleviation and the protection of human life. He was a strong voice in the fight against communism and the Solidarity Union in Poland. He was a staunch defender of human rights and fought for the end of the death penalty. He worked to protect the environment and to promote greater understanding and respect for the dignity of human life. Pope John Paul II traveled extensively, visiting 129 countries during his papacy and becoming one of the most popular and beloved figures of modern times. He was a tireless advocate of peace and justice and was a source of strength, hope and inspiration to millions of people worldwide. He passed away on April 2, 2005, leaving a legacy of faith and love that will continue to be felt for generations to come.