The longest reigning pope in modern history, John Paul II, took his message on the road, visiting 129 countries --several repeatedly -- on 104 trips and logging more than 700,000 miles in a papacy that lasted more than 27 years. John Paul II’s private conversations with Polish and Soviet leaders contributed to the peaceful end of the Soviet regime in eastern Europe, and his worldwide outreach brought greater visibility to the church. Considered one of the Catholic Church's leading thinkers, he participated in the Second Vatican Council—sometimes called Vatican II. He was succeeded by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI. https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/john-paul-ii. He was not without critics, however. The council began reviewing church doctrine in 1962, holding several sessions over the course of the next few years. John Paul II’s Modernist Philosophy & Theology / His Theology of The Body Benedict XVI began the process to beatify John Paul II in May 2005. His mother, Emilia Kaczorowska, died when he was eight years old; his brother, Edmund, who had become a physician, died less than four years later. One of his doctors also disclosed that John Paul had Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder often characterized by shaking, in 2001. Pope John Paul II Faith Courage Fear Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church. Under Pope John Paul II, however, matters began to change. He engaged in acts of interfaith reconciliation with Judaism and Islam, promulgated a new catechism (1992), and canonized nearly 500 saints. During his time of leadership, he united Greece, reestablished the Corinthian League and conquered the Persian Empire. Although Wadowice, a town of about 8,000 Catholics and 2,000 Jews, lay only 15 miles (24 km) from the future site of Auschwitz, a Nazi death camp, there was apparently little anti-Semitism in the town before the war. The message of Poland had rippled across all of eastern Europe. Holly from CO wrote on August 22, 2018 What a stunningly beautiful rose. In February 1941 Wojtyła returned from work one day to discover that his father had died alone; he prayed by the body all night. After the council’s conclusion in 1965, Wojtyła was appointed to Pope Paul VI’s Commission for the Study of Problems of the Family, Population, and Birth Rate. Pope John Paul II on Evolution It was reported on 24 October, 1996, that Pope John Paul II "broke new ground" in a statement to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in which he said that evolution was "more than a hypothesis". By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. JPII Experience Events are opportunities where you can come see what life is like at our school. He also centralized control over Catholic educational institutions and maintained traditional church positions on gender and sexual issues. But by the mid-1990s, rumors about his behavior were starting to fly, and John Paul passed McCarrick over as archbishop of Chicago in 1997 and New York in 1999. Wanting to become a priest, John Paul began studying at a secret seminary run by the archbishop of Krakow. In 1964, Father Karol was appointed archbishop of Krakow; just three years later he was made a … Address of Pope John Paul II to the Tribunal of the Roman Rota: February 5, 1987 [ English-Italian-] Want to be automatically notified of new documents? He then began two years of study in Rome, where he completed his first doctorate, an examination of the theology of St. John of the Cross. POPE JOHN PAUL II (1978-2005) McCarrick had generally positive marks during his first two posts as bishop, in Metuchen, N.J. (1981-1986) and Newark, N.J. (1986-2000). His first major statement on homosexuality was not made until 1986, but it marked a significant departure from the hopeful changes which had begun to mark the previous years. St. John Paul II, Latin Johannes Paulus, original name Karol Józef Wojtyła, (born May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland—died April 2, 2005, Vatican City; beatified May 1, 2011; canonized April 27, 2014; feast day October 22), bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church (1978–2005), the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country. During this pandemic period, we are hosting our final live-event online: Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at 5:30 pm. He regularly assisted Father Kazimierz Figlewicz, his confessor and first teacher in Catholicism, in Wadowice’s main church, which was next door to the Wojtyła family’s tiny apartment. From 1978, Pope John Paul II convoked 15 assemblies of the Synod of Bishops: 6 ordinary general sessions (1980, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994 and 2001), 1 extraordinary general session (1985) and 8 special sessions (1980, 1991,1994,1995,1997,1998 (2) and 1999). His work appears to have influenced Humanae vitae (1968; “Of Human Life”), Paul VI’s encyclical rejecting artificial contraception, which became one of the church’s most ignored teachings. He held strong positions on many topics, including his opposition to capital punishment. In his later years, John Paul's health appeared to be failing. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. After a dying French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre Normand, prayed to Pope John Paul II for during her battle with Parkinson's disease—the same illness that killed the pope—she was cured. John Paul II was the first globally oriented pope, and he increased the global prestige of the papacy. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! An outstanding student with a magnetic personality, he dreams of becoming an actor. DVD includes Spanish subtitles and special sixteen-page collectible booklet. Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School is a co-educational parochial school for students in Preschool (3 years of age) through eighth grade located in West Brandywine Township, Chester County, Pa. Our childcare program, Little Saints Academy, serves infants and toddlers 3-36 months in age. Updates? In 1945 the Soviets replaced the Germans as occupiers of Poland. “A person's rightful due is to be treated as an object of love, not as an object for use.” ― Pope John … The school was closed the next year by Nazi troops during the German occupation of Poland. During World War II, when the Nazis invaded Poland, Karol secretly studied for the priesthood in an underground seminary established by the archbishop of Krakow. Allow the light and the healing presence of Christ to shine brightly through your lives. The Vatican also stated that Pope John XXIII, who headed the Catholic Church from 1958 until his death in 1963 and convened the Vatican II council, would also be declared a saint. In that way, all … John Paul became the bishop of Ombi in 1958 and then the archbishop of Krakow six years later. The Soviet SCAM had collapsed along with the Iron Curtain. Pope John Paul II made history in 1978 by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years. Born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, Pope John Paul II's early life was marked by great loss. John Calvin, Martin Luther's successor as the preeminent Protestant theologian, made a powerful impact on the fundamental doctrines of Protestantism. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84, at his Vatican City residence. Shot on location in Rome and Poland in close connection with the Vatican, this is the definitive epic film on the life of Pope John Paul II. He was also the first and only Slavic pope. In November 1946 Wojtyła was ordained by Sapieha into the Catholic priesthood. John Paul II was the most traveled pope in history with 104 international trips. A vocal advocate for human rights, John Paul often spoke out about suffering in the world. Through Jan Tyranowski, a tailor who conducted a youth ministry for the local church, Wojtyła was introduced to the teachings of St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite mystic who held that redemption could be gained through suffering and a “spirituality of abandonment.” Tyranowski’s example helped to convince Wojtyła that the church, even more than a renewed Polish theatre, might improve the world. He also became the spiritual leader and mentor of a circle of young adult friends whom he joined on kayaking and camping trips. Wojtyła’s confessor continued to be his childhood mentor, Figlewicz, who had transferred to Wawel Cathedral in Kraków. His mother died in 1929. Pope John Paul II born On May 18, 1920, Karol Jozef Wojtyla is born in the Polish town of Wadowice, 35 miles southwest of Krakow. Pope John Paul II is remembered for his successful efforts to end communism, as well as for building bridges with peoples of other faiths, and issuing the Catholic Churchs first apology for its actions during World War II. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Pope Francis led the event to elevate Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII to sainthood, which was also attended by Francis's predecessor Emeritus Pope Benedict. The official sainthood ceremony, held on April 27, 2014, brought together four popes. John Paul II. His J. Paul Getty Trust funds the J. Paul Getty Museum and other artistic endeavors. Wojtyła was an outgoing youth, though always with a serious side. On September 30, 2013, Pope Francis announced that the canonizations of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII would occur on April 27, 2014. He is known for building Rockefeller Center in New York City. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981. At the Second Vatican Council (1962–65) Wojtyła so distinguished himself that halfway through the council, in December 1963, Pope Paul VI named him archbishop of Kraków. After graduating from secondary school as valedictorian, Wojtyła moved with his father to Kraków, where he attended the Jagiellonian University. Born in Poland, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since the Dutch Pope Adrian VI, who served from 1522 to 1523. In 1981, an assassin shot John Paul twice in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Veteran foreign and domestic correspondent Bill Blakemore joined ABC News in 1970 in the Mideast and India. Pope Saint John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla in the small Polish town of Wadowice. I put it in the ground early this summer and, despite fierce attacks from Japaneese Beetles the rose has grown to about 4 times it's original size. Alexander the Great served as king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 B.C. John Paul spent two years in Rome where he finished his doctorate in theology. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1946. Wojtyła was thus the only pope, at least in modern times, to have been a labourer. Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. was the only son of John D. Rockefeller and heir to his fortune. II Karol Wojtyla 16.X.1978 - 2.IV.2005. As a member of the council, John Paul helped the church to examine its position in the world. His emphasis on religious and national freedom was unprecedented. The young priest wrote poetry, published anonymously, on a variety of religious, social, and personal themes. He went to Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 where he showed an interest in theater and poetry. His unabashed Polish nationalism and his emphasis on nonviolent political activism aided the Solidarity movement in communist Poland in the 1980s and ultimately contributed to the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. John Paul II became Pope on 16 October 1978. He died in Italy in 2005. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism. Together, they celebrated mass in the open at a time when unapproved worship outside of churches was forbidden by the communist regime. A common reading of this encyclical portrays Pope John Paul as a run-of-the-mill free market liberal, even a moderate libertarian of the socially conservative stripe. Omissions? Experiences with these friends contributed to the ideas in his first book of nonfiction, Love and Responsibility (1960), an exploration of the several graces available in conjugal sexual relationships. After narrowly escaping a Nazi roundup of able-bodied men and boys in 1944, Wojtyła spent the rest of the war in the archbishop’s palace, disguised as a cleric. His poor handling of Bloody Sunday and Russia’s role in World War I led to his abdication and execution. During these years Wojtyła began to write nationalistic plays, and he joined the Rhapsodic Theatre, an underground resistance group that aimed to sustain Polish culture and morale through covert readings of poetry and drama. S. Ioannes Paulus PP. As pope, Wojtyła recalled that witnessing Nazi horrors, including the murder of many priests, showed him the real meaning of the priesthood. Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, served as empress of Russia for more than three decades in the late 18th century after overthrowing her husband, Peter III. On 3 May 1981, an attempt was made on Pope John Paul II's life in Saint Peter's Square. If you would like to be automatically notified of site additions, changes, and when an entry for a Papal or Church document is added, become a … He returned to his native Poland in 1948 and served in several parishes in and around Krakow. Pope John Paul II had an intimate 32-year relationship with a Polish philosopher who is believed to have once declared her love to him while he was still a … A charismatic figure, John Paul used his influence to bring about political change and is credited with the fall of communism in his native Poland. (AP) He arrived at 9:01 a.m. on Tuesday the 2nd of October 1979, 14 … Church leaders were impressed by Wojtyła’s ability to operate a dynamic pastorate despite communist restrictions. As part of his effort to promote greater understanding between nations and between religions, he undertook numerous trips abroad, traveling far greater distances than had all other popes combined, and he extended his influence beyond the church by campaigning against political oppression and criticizing the materialism of the West. He was canonized in 2014. He excelled in academics and dramatics, played football (soccer), and, under his father’s guidance, lived a disciplined life of routine religious observance. He spent two and a half months hospitalized, but he fully recovered from his wounds; two days after Christmas in 1983, he went to the prison and met with his would-be assassin. John Paul II's cause for canonisation commenced in 2005 one month after his death with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. Some bishops also disagreed with it, saying privately that, on this issue, Wojtyła may have made basic theological mistakes. The flowers are just gorgeous, and the fragrance is incredible. Voight finally accepted the role for Pope John Paul II (2005), for which he received an Emmy nomination. Assigned to Kraków’s St. Florian’s parish in 1949, he studied, wrote, and lectured on philosophy and social and sexual ethics. In taking the name John Paul II—which his predecessor, John Paul I, had said honoured the two popes of the Second Vatican Council—he signaled his intention to continue with the council’s reforms. The announcement of Pope John Paul II's canonization came after the Vatican revealed that two miracles were attributed to the late pope. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives. Karol J. Wojtyla, known as John Paul II since his October 1978 election to the papacy, was born in Wadowice, a small city 50 kilometres from Cracow, on May 18, 1920. In 1958 Pope Pius XII appointed him an auxiliary bishop of Kraków. Wojtyła thus grew up experiencing national freedom but also understanding its vulnerability. After World War II ended, he finished his religious studies at a Krakow seminary and was ordained in 1946. His pontificate of more than 26 years was the third longest in history. Timeline: Pope John Paul II The following is a list of key dates in the life of Pope John Paul II, born Karol Jozef Wojtyla, 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. In his encyclical Centesimus Annus, Pope John Paul II wrote some controversial words on the subject o f capitalism, the interpretation of which has been the subject of much disagreement among Catholics interested in the economy. © 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. By the autumn of 1942 he had decided to enter the priesthood. His studies ended abruptly when Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Angelus / Regina Caeli. During the next decade he completed a second doctorate, taught theology and ethics at the Jagiellonian University, and eventually was appointed to a full professorship at the Catholic University of Lublin. Following the premature death of his mother, Karol Wojtyla is brought up by his father in the Polish city of Krakow during the first half of the 20th century. In the months that followed, Jews as well as non-Jewish cultural and political leaders, including professors and priests, were killed or deported to concentration camps by the Nazis, who considered the Slavs an inferior race. He was the second of two sons born to Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. Saint John Paul II, the bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church (1978–2005), the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country. Well regarded for his contributions to the church, John Paul was made a cardinal in 1967 by Pope Paul VI. Pope John Paul II visited Poland for the third time in 1987. Jon Voight was originally offered the part of Pope John Paul II in this movie, but refused, giving Albert Finney the role instead. Wojtyła and his father fled with thousands to the east but soon returned after learning that the Russians had also invaded Poland. Jon Voight's powerful, Emmy-nominated performance as John Paul II was widely praised, as was Cary Elwes as the young Karol. One of Wojtyła’s close boyhood friends was a son of the leader of Wadowice’s Jewish community. But there was never any official announcement about his illness from the Vatican. Nicholas II was the last tsar of Russia under Romanov rule. For the next four years, in order to avoid arrest and deportation, he worked in a factory owned by Solvay, a chemical firm that the Nazis considered essential to their war effort. He was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967, and in 1978 became the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years. Pope John Paul II. Makes the battle with the Beetles worthwhile. When St. John Paul II died in 2005 after nearly 27 years on the papal throne, his funeral drew millions to St. Peter's Square. Fortunately, he was able to recover from his injuries and later forgave his attacker. Pope John Paul II was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, and became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964. A few years later, Lech Walesa was elected President of Poland. His pontificate of more than 26 years was the third longest in history. For two years, while still working at the chemical factory, he attended illegal seminary classes run by Kraków’s cardinal archbishop, Prince Adam Sapieha. We strive for accuracy and fairness. John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He has covered a dozen wars or major conflicts including the Black September, Bangladesh, Intifada,... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. He also visibly trembled at times. In 1978, John Paul made history by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than four hundred years. He chose to say his first mass, assisted by Figlewicz, in Wawel Cathedral’s crypt chapel amid the sarcophagi of Polish monarchs and heroes, including those who had defended national freedom and European Christendom. His centralized style of church governance, however, dismayed some members of the clergy, who found it autocratic and stifling. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he traveled the world, visiting more than 100 countries to spread his message of faith and peace. With Christopher Lee, Ben Gazzara, Daniele Pecci, Vittoria Belvedere. More than 3 million people waited in line to say good-bye to their beloved religious leader at St. Peter's Basilica before his funeral on April 8. The second miracle involved a 50-year-old woman, who claimed that she was cured of a brain aneurysm after a photograph of Pope John Paul II spoke to her. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. On July 5, 2013, waving the usual five-year waiting period, the Vatican announced that the Roman Catholic Church would declare Pope John Paul II a saint and that the canonization ceremony would likely take place within the next 16 months. In 1981 Pope John Paul II suffered severe wounds when he was shot as he entered St. Peter's Square to address a general audience. But he was close to home when he faced the greatest threat to his life. The crowd soon broke out … It was announced in July 2013 that he would be declared a saint in April of the following year. Some have stated that he could be harsh with those who disagreed with him and that he would not compromise his hard-line stance on certain issues, such as contraception. He was a vocal advocate for human rights and used his influence to effect political change. Editor’s note: The month marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in the Polish town of … Pope John Paul II gestures to the crowd at New York's Shea Stadium, Oct. 3, 1979. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, Ecclesiastical and theological contributions, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-Paul-II, The Telegraph - Obituary of Pope John Paul II, Jewish Virtual Library - Biography of John Paul II, Saint John Paul II - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Saint John Paul II - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Charles II was the monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland during much of the latter half of the 17th century, marking the Restoration era. Learn more about his life and papacy. He also issued several unprecedented apologies to groups that historically had been wronged by Catholics, most notably Jews and Muslims. 1978; 1979; 1980; 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984 Kaiser Wilhelm served as emperor of Germany from 1888 until the end of World War I. Mobster John "Junior" Gotti allegedly served as a capo in the Gambino family and was the acting boss when his father, John Gotti was in prison. Pope John Paul II High School announces “Virtual Open House” event for Jan 20th. The work was considered radical by those who held the traditional church view that sex was solely for the purpose of procreation. American businessman J. Paul Getty built his fortune as president of the Getty Oil Company. Back in Kraków, Wojtyła continued his studies in clandestine classes. Growing up, John Paul was athletic and enjoyed skiing and swimming. Pope John Paul II was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, and became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964. At public appearances, he moved slowly and seemed unsteady on his feet. He failed to reverse an overall decline in the numbers of priests and nuns, and his traditional interpretations of church teachings on personal and sexual morality alienated some segments of the laity. Wojtyła’s father, Karol senior, was a lieutenant in the Polish army. The Second Vatican Council introduced Wojtyła to issues including the role of the laity, the church’s relations with other religions, and its relations with the secular world. More generally, John Paul used his influence among Catholics and throughout the world to advance the recognition of human dignity and to deter the use of violence. Wojtyła’s childhood coincided with the only period of freedom that Poland would know between 1772 and 1989: the two decades between Marshal Józef Piłsudski’s defeat of the Soviet Red Army in 1920 and the German invasion in 1939. 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