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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 John Paul II''' (b. May 18, 1920, died April 2, 2005), born Karol Józef Wojtyła, in Wadowice, [[Poland]]. He held the second longest papacy in modern times. The first non-Italian [[Pope]] in over 500 years. Became Vicar of Christ in 1978, the year of three Popes. By using Godly Love, he stood up to the Nazis and the Communists and overcame them both. His pontificate was successful in keeping a vibrant modern Church in strict accordance with Apostolic traditions. He had Canonized more [[Saints]] than any other Pope. It is widely believed that John Paul II will be a Saint and have a title of "John Paul the Great." | + | '''Pope John Paul II''' (b. May 18, 1920, died April 2, 2005), born Karol Józef Wojtyła, in Wadowice, [[Poland]]. He held the second longest papacy in modern times. The first non-Italian [[Pope]] in over 500 years. Became Vicar of Christ in 1978, the year of three Popes. He was fluent in ten languages. By using Godly Love, he stood up to the Nazis and the Communists and overcame them both. His pontificate was successful in keeping a vibrant modern Church in strict accordance with Apostolic traditions. He had Canonized more [[Saints]] than any other Pope. It is widely believed that John Paul II will be a Saint and have a title of "John Paul the Great." |
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| | ==Early Life== | | ==Early Life== |
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| | <sup>1</sup> From the Vatican, 22 October 1996. ''Official translation published in L'Osservatore Romano, "Weekly Edition in English," 30 October 1996. | | <sup>1</sup> From the Vatican, 22 October 1996. ''Official translation published in L'Osservatore Romano, "Weekly Edition in English," 30 October 1996. |
| | '' | | '' |
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| | + | == May 13, 1981== |
| | + | A Muslim assassin from [[Turkey]], Mehmet Ali Agca, shot Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's square. In critical condition, he was rushed to Gemelli Hospital. The recovered Pope would meet with Mehmet 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> |
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| | + | == Quotes == |
| | + | Speaking of Crossing The Threshold of [[Hope]]. [[God]] is always on the side of the suffering. His omnipotence is manifested precisely in the fact that he freely accepted suffering. He could have chosen not to do so. He could have chosen to demonstrate his [[omnipotence]] even at the moment of the Crucifixion. In fact, it was proposed to him: "Let the Messiah, the King of Israel come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." (Mark 15.32) But he did not accept that challenge. The fact that he stayed on the Cross until the end, the fact that on the Cross he could say, as do all who suffer, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15.34) If the agony on the Cross had not happened, the truth that God is Love would have been unfounded. Yes! God is Love and precisely for this he gave his Son, to reveal himself completely as Love. Christ is the One who "loved...to the end." (John 13.1) "To the end" means to the last breath. |
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| | == See also == | | == See also == |