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[[Image:John_Paul_II.jpg|thumb|300px|John Paul II]]

[[Image:John_Paul_II.jpg|thumb|300px|John Paul II]]

'''Pope Saint John Paul II''' (b. May 18, 1920, died April 2, 2005), born Karol Józef Wojtyła, in Wadowice, [[Poland]], succeeded [[John Paul I]] and preceded [[Benedict XVI]]. He held the second-longest papacy in modern times, after [[Pope Pius IX]], and was the first non-Italian [[pope]] in over 400 years (since 1523). He became Vicar of Christ (one of the titles of the pope) in 1978, the Year of Three Popes, and is now known as '''Saint John Paul the Great''' after being canonized on beautified on 27 April 2014. He was fluent in ten languages and would often give his [[homilies]] in the local language of countries he visited. By using Godly Love, he stood up to the [[Nazi]]s and the [[Communist]]s and overcame them both. His pontificate was successful in keeping a vibrant modern Church in strict accordance with Apostolic traditions. He [[canonized]] more [[saints]] than any other pope.

'''Pope Saint John Paul II''' (b. 18 May 1920, d. 2 April 2005; r. 16 October 1978 to 2 April 2005), born '''Karol Józef Wojtyła''' in Wadowice, [[Poland]], was the 264th [[pope]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]].  He succeeded [[John Paul I]] and preceded [[Benedict XVI]]. He held the second-longest papacy in modern times, after [[Pope Pius IX]], and was the first non-Italian [[pope]] in over 400 years (since 1523). He became Vicar of Christ (one of the titles of the pope) in 1978, the Year of Three Popes, and is now known as '''Saint John Paul the Great''' after being canonized on 27 April 2014. He was fluent in ten languages {{citation needed}} and would often give his [[homilies]] in the local language of countries he visited. {{citation needed}} By using Godly Love, he stood up to the [[Nazi]]s and the [[Communist]]s and overcame them both. His pontificate was successful in keeping a vibrant modern Church in strict accordance with Apostolic traditions. He [[canonized]] more [[saints]] than any other pope.

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

==Election and Pontificate==

==Election and Pontificate==

The Conclave of Cardinals elected him [[pope]] on October 16, 1978. As pope, John Paul II traveled to more countries, and traveled more miles than any other previous pope. He also conducted more public meetings with the faithful, as the total attendance of his Wednesday audiences alone eclipsed 17,600,000 people. Controversially, during his reign, as many new saints were created as had been created in the reigns of all previous popes combined.

The Conclave of Cardinals elected him [[pope]] on October 16, 1978. As pope, John Paul II traveled to more countries, and traveled more miles than any other previous pope. He also conducted more public meetings with the faithful, as the total attendance of his Wednesday audiences alone eclipsed 17,600,000 people. Controversially, during his reign, as many new saints were canonized as had been canonized in the reigns of all previous popes combined.

On 22nd October, 1996 Pope John Paul II made world headlines with his message¹ delivered to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. It was entitled ''Magisterium Is Concerned with Question of Evolution for It Involves Conception of Man'' and resulted in headlines in many of the world's newspapers declaring that evolution and creation could coexist. His holiness stated his opinion on evolution that "In fact it is remarkable that this theory has had progressively greater influence on the spirit of researchers, following a series of discoveries in different scholarly disciplines. The convergence in the results of these independent studies—which was neither planned nor sought—constitutes in itself a significant argument in favor of the theory."

On 22nd October, 1996 Pope John Paul II made world headlines with his message¹ delivered to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, entitled ''Magisterium Is Concerned with Question of Evolution for It Involves Conception of Man'' and resulted in headlines in many of the world's newspapers declaring that evolution and creation could coexist. His holiness stated his opinion on evolution that "In fact it is remarkable that this theory has had progressively greater influence on the spirit of researchers, following a series of discoveries in different scholarly disciplines. The convergence in the results of these independent studies—which was neither planned nor sought—constitutes in itself a significant argument in favor of the theory."

Another one of his accomplishments is the establishment of [[World Youth Day]]. Also, he wrote 14 [[Encyclicals]], 5 books, and inumerous letters.  

Another one of his accomplishments is the establishment of World Youth Day. Also, he wrote 14 encyclicals, 5 books, and innumerable letters.  

On May 9, 2005 John Paul II's successor, [[Pope Benedict XVI]], waived the five year waiting period for beatification.

On 9 May 2005 John Paul II's successor, [[Pope Benedict XVI]], waived the five year waiting period for beatification.  Benedict beatified John Paul on 9 May 2011.

 

On 27 April 2014 John Paul was [[canonized]] by [[Pope Francis]].  His feast day is 22 October.

¹ From the Vatican, 22 October 1996. ''Official translation published in [[L'Osservatore Romano]], "Weekly Edition in English," 30 October 1996.

¹ From the Vatican, 22 October 1996. ''Official translation published in [[L'Osservatore Romano]], "Weekly Edition in English," 30 October 1996.