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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. 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.

'''Pope Saint John Paul II''' (born 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==

Karol was born the last of three siblings to father Karol Wojtyła and mother Emilia Kaczorowska. At a young age, he was known to be gentle and loving to all.  His mother died on April 13, 1929 and his older brother, who was a doctor, died of scarlet fever on December 5, 1932.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/KarolWojtylaPopeJohnPaulTimeline.aspx Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) Timeline]</ref> He lived with his father until he entered the Jagiellonian [[University]] in [[Kraków]], [[Poland]]. He was a very good football (soccer) player and his nickname was 'Goalie'. Karol loved the arts and was involved in poetry and drama. In 1939, [[Nazi]] [[Germany]] invaded Poland. His father died on Feb. 18, 1941, when Karol was 21 years old.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/KarolWojtylaPopeJohnPaulTimeline.aspx Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) Timeline]</ref> Occupied Poland was a hard life for Karol but he survived by hiding within the underground movement. He refused any armed struggle, and was intent on keeping his freedoms and the Polish people's dignity alive through arts. He was known to help [[Jewish]] Poles against the wrath of Nazi [[persecution]]. In October 1942, at the age of 22, he entered the underground seminary to study as a priest. In 1945, the Nazis evacuated Poland and Communism through the USSR took over. In 1946, Karol Wojtyla became a [[priest]], became a [[chaplain]] at St. Florians Church in [[Krakow]] in 1949, a professor of social ethics at Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1951 and Archbishop of Krakow in 1958. In the 1960s, he was at the Vatican during [[Vatican II]] and in 1967, he became a [[Cardinal]]. <ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/KarolWojtylaPopeJohnPaulTimeline.aspx Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) Timeline]</ref>

Karol was born the last of three siblings to father Karol Wojtyła and mother Emilia Kaczorowska. At a young age, he was known to be gentle and loving to all.  His mother died on April 13, 1929 and his older brother, who was a doctor, died of scarlet fever on December 5, 1932.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/KarolWojtylaPopeJohnPaulTimeline.aspx Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) Timeline]</ref> He lived with his father until he entered the Jagiellonian [[University]] in [[Kraków]], [[Poland]]. He was a very good football (soccer) player and his nickname was 'Goalie'. Karol loved the arts and was involved in poetry and drama. In 1939, [[Nazi]] [[Germany]] invaded Poland. His father died on Feb. 18, 1941, when Karol was 21 years old.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/KarolWojtylaPopeJohnPaulTimeline.aspx Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) Timeline]</ref> Occupied Poland was a hard life for Karol but he survived by hiding within the underground movement. He refused any armed struggle, and was intent on keeping his freedoms and the Polish people's dignity alive through arts. He was known to help [[Jewish]] Poles against the wrath of Nazi [[persecution]]. In October 1942, at the age of 22, he entered the underground seminary to study as a priest. In 1945, the Nazis evacuated Poland and Communism through the USSR took over. In 1946, Karol Wojtyla became a [[priest]], became a [[chaplain]] at St. Florians Church in [[Krakow]] in 1949, a professor of social ethics at Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1951 and Archbishop of Krakow in 1958. In the 1960s, he was at the Vatican during [[Vatican II]] and in 1967, he became a [[Cardinal]].<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/KarolWojtylaPopeJohnPaulTimeline.aspx Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) Timeline]</ref>

==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 canonized as had been canonized 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, 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 22 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 innumerable letters.  

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

== Assassination attempts ==

== Assassination attempts ==

A [[Muslim]] assassin from [[Turkey]], Mehmet Ali Agca, shot Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1981 at [[St. Peter's Square]]. In critical condition, he was rushed to Gemelli Hospital with abdominal wounds and severe blood loss. The recovered pope would meet with Mehmet in prison to offer forgiveness. Years later, an [[Italian]] court ruled that the [[Soviets]] were involved in the plot, possibly done for his efforts in [[Poland]]'s Solidarity movement. [[CIA]] reports have [[Warsaw Pact]] nation Communist [[Bulgaria]] as a culprit. <ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8G3J3J00&show_article=1 Italian Panel: Soviets Behind Pope Attack] Ap, March 2, 2006</ref>

A [[Muslim]] assassin from [[Turkey]], Mehmet Ali Agca, shot Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1981 at [[St. Peter's Square]]. In critical condition, he was rushed to Gemelli Hospital with abdominal wounds and severe blood loss. The recovered pope would meet with Mehmet in prison to offer forgiveness. Years later, an [[Italian]] court ruled that the [[Soviets]] were involved in the plot, possibly done for his efforts in [[Poland]]'s Solidarity movement. [[CIA]] reports have [[Warsaw Pact]] nation Communist [[Bulgaria]] as a culprit.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8G3J3J00&show_article=1 Italian Panel: Soviets Behind Pope Attack] Ap, March 2, 2006</ref>

On May 13, 1982, an ultra-conservative Spanish monk named Juan Maria Fernandez y Krohn attacked Pope John Paul II with a bayonet in Fatima, Portugal. At the time, the pope concealed the fact from the public Fernandez y Krohn had wounded him with the blade. The monk was sentenced to 6-1/2 years in prison for the attack.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/PopeJohnPaulIITimeline.aspx Pope John Paul II Timeline]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7673443.stm Pope John Paul 'Wounded' in 1982]</ref>

On May 13, 1982, an ultra-conservative Spanish monk named Juan Maria Fernandez y Krohn attacked Pope John Paul II with a bayonet in Fatima, Portugal. At the time, the pope concealed the fact from the public Fernandez y Krohn had wounded him with the blade. The monk was sentenced to 6-1/2 years in prison for the attack.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/PopeJohnPaulIITimeline.aspx Pope John Paul II Timeline]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7673443.stm Pope John Paul 'Wounded' in 1982]</ref>

Due to these attacks, the "Popemobile", a bullet-proof car, was used for Pope John Paul's visit to Great Britain on May 28 through June 2, 1982.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/PopeJohnPaulIITimeline.aspx Pope John Paul II Timeline] </ref>

Due to these attacks, the "Popemobile", a bullet-proof car, was used for Pope John Paul's visit to Great Britain on May 28 through June 2, 1982.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/PopeJohnPaulIITimeline.aspx Pope John Paul II Timeline]</ref>

== Quotes ==

== Quotes ==

*[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/index.htm  Karol Wojtyla Official Vatican site.]   

*[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/index.htm  Karol Wojtyla Official Vatican site.]   

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[[Category:Popes]]

[[Category:Popes]]