Pope John Paul II
Clergy
Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła, May 18, 1920 - April 2, 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 to 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history, after Pope Pius IX. Born in Poland, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since Pope Adrian VI in the 16th century.
He was elected pope by the second papal enclave of 1978, which was called after Pope John Paul I, who had been elected in August to succeed Pope Paul VI, died after 33 days. He adopted the papal name of his predecessor in tribute to him.
Subject ID: 104331
MorePope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła, May 18, 1920 - April 2, 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 to 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history, after Pope Pius IX. Born in Poland, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since Pope Adrian VI in the 16th century.
He was elected pope by the second papal enclave of 1978, which was called after Pope John Paul I, who had been elected in August to succeed Pope Paul VI, died after 33 days. He adopted the papal name of his predecessor in tribute to him.
John Paul II is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in Poland and eventually all of Europe. He significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as the right to life, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and a celibate clergy. While he supported the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he was seen as generally conservative in their interpretation. He also was one of the most traveled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate.
Subject ID: 104331
Subject ID: 104331
