| − | '''Blessed Pope 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 500 years. He became Vicar of Christ (the title given to the pope) in 1978, the year of three popes, and is now known as Blessed John Paul II after being beautified on May 1, 2011. 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. It is widely believed that John Paul II be sainted and have a title of "John Paul the Great." | + | '''Blessed Pope 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 500 years. He became Vicar of Christ (the title given to the pope) in 1978, the year of three popes, and is now known as Blessed John Paul II after being beautified on May 1, 2011. 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. It is widely desired that John Paul II be sainted and have a title of "John Paul the Great." |