Saint Pope John Paul II

Feast Day: October 22

  • Karol Józef Wojtyła was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. He was the youngest of three children born to Karol Wojtyła and Emilia Kaczorowska. His mother died when he was nine, and his older brother Edmund, a physician, died when Karol was twelve. His father, a former Austro-Hungarian non-commissioned officer, supported and inspired him until his death in 1941.

  • Karol excelled in academics and was active in his parish and local youth groups. In 1938, he enrolled at Jagiellonian University in Kraków and the school for drama. When the Nazis closed the university in 1939, he worked in a quarry and later in a chemical factory to avoid deportation.

  • In 1942, feeling a call to the priesthood, Karol began studying at the clandestine seminary run by the Archbishop of Kraków, Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha. Ordained a priest on November 1, 1946, he was sent to Rome, where he earned a doctorate in theology. Upon returning to Poland, he served in several parishes and earned another doctorate in philosophy.

  • Father Wojtyła became a university chaplain, where he gathered young people for prayer, discussion, and skiing trips. In 1958, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kraków, becoming the youngest bishop in Poland. He attended the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), contributing significantly to the documents Gaudium et Spes and Dignitatis Humanae.

  • In 1964, he was appointed Archbishop of Kraków and became a cardinal in 1967. As a cardinal, Wojtyła played a crucial role in opposing Communist influence in Poland, advocating for human rights and religious freedom. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of the Solidarity movement in the 1980s.

  • On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła was elected Pope, taking the name John Paul II. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the youngest pope of the 20th century. His papacy was marked by a focus on human rights, the dignity of the human person, and uplifting families and children.

  • Pope John Paul II traveled extensively, visiting 129 countries and drawing large crowds. He was instrumental in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, particularly in his native Poland. His support for the Solidarity movement and his appeals to world leaders helped to bring about the end of Communist regimes in Europe and Russia.

  • On May 13, 1981, Mehmet Ali Ağca attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square. The pope was struck with several bullets, but he miraculously survived. After recovering, he visited Mehmet in prison two days after Christmas and forgave him during a private, twenty-minute conversation -- demonstrating his commitment to divine mercy and witnessing to the power of Christ's love for mankind.

  • Recalling the assassination attempt, the pope said, "Could I forget that the event in St. Peter's Square took place on the day and at the hour when the first appearance of the Mother of Christ to the poor little peasants has been remembered for over sixty years at Fátima, Portugal? For in everything that happened to me on that very day, I felt that extraordinary motherly protection and care, which turned out to be stronger than the deadly bullet."

  • John Paul II was also a prolific writer, producing numerous encyclicals, apostolic letters, and books. His most notable works include Redemptor Hominis, Laborem Exercens, and Evangelium Vitae. He upheld traditional Church teachings on issues but also advocated for human dignity regarding the most pressing issues of the 20th century, like workers' rights, domestic struggles, and economic justice.

  • In the latter years of his life, the pope suffered from Parkinson’s disease, which gradually limited his physical abilities. Despite his declining health, he continued to lead the Church with determination and faith until his death on April 2, 2005. The world over grieved his loss.

  • Pope John Paul II was canonized on April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis. He is remembered as a defender of the dignity of human life, renowned evangelist and ecumenist, and a tireless advocate for peace and reconciliation amongst all people. He is the co-patron saint of World Youth Day.

Saint Pope John Paul II, Pray for Us!