Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła (1920-2005), was the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the second longest-serving pope in history.
Born in Wadowice, Poland, John Paul II became a priest in 1946 and rose through the ranks of the church, becoming a bishop in 1958 and a cardinal in 1967. As pope, he was known for his conservative stance on social issues and his opposition to communism. He was a vocal advocate for human rights and played a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in the late 1980s.
John Paul II was also a prolific writer and a great promoter of interfaith dialogue, particularly with Judaism and Islam. He was a frequent traveler, making 104 foreign trips during his pontificate, and was known for his charisma and personal warmth. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981 and continued to serve as pope for another 24 years.
After his death in 2005, John Paul II was beatified by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, and then canonized as a saint by Pope Francis in 2014. He is remembered as one of the most influential and beloved popes in the history of the Catholic Church.
