Pope John Paul II biography
Pope John Paul II history
Pope John Paul II facts
Pope John Paul II video clips
Pope John Paul II photos
Pope John Paul II story
Pope John Paul II discography
Pope John Paul II photographs
Pope John Paul II bio
Pope John Paul II info
Pope John Paul II curious
Pope John Paul II images
Pope John Paul II quotes
Pope John Paul II films
Pope John Paul II filmography

Karol Wojtyla, the first Polish pope, was appointed leader of the Catholic Church in 1978. Although respected, he was little known outside Vatican circles, and few tipped him as successor to Pope John Paul, who died after only 33 days in office.

Born near Krakow in 1920, Karol Wojtyla enjoyed sports including football and skiing. A theatre lover, one of his early ambitions was to become an actor.

During the Nazi occupation in World War II he studied theology – mostly in hiding - and was eventually ordained a priest in 1946. He was quickly promoted up the ranks of the Catholic clergy, becoming archbishop of Krakow in 1964 and cardinal in 1967.

Pope John Paul’s papacy was characterised by almost constant travelling. He visited more than 100 countries and is estimated to have spanned the globe 27 times.

However his wish for closeness to his flock almost led to his death. In 1981 he was shot and seriously wounded by Mehmet Ali Hagca in St Peter's Square.

Although John Paul gained popularity for his progressive, hands-on leadership, he also drew criticism, particularly over his views on divorce, contraception and abortion.

At a Vatican conference in 2001 he spoke out against laws allowing divorce, abortion, homosexual unions and rights for unmarried couples. He has also been criticised for not speaking out and condemning the recent spate of sexual abuse cases by priests of children in their care.

In recent years, John Paul has become increasingly frail and dogged by ill health. He had a tumour removed from his colon in 1992, dislocated his shoulder in 1993 and broke an arm in 1994. In 2001 an orthopaedic surgeon confirmed what had been suspected for some time - that the Pope was suffering from Parkinson's disease.

On 14 March 2004, the pontiff became the third-longest serving in the history of the Catholic Church.

The Pope marked his 84th birthday in May of that year, but despite deteriorating health refused to let up his gruelling schedule of appearances and foreign trips.

Pope John Paul II died in his private apartment at the Vatican on Saturday 2 April 2005.


Pope John Paul II biography




Pope John Paul II biography




Pope John Paul II biography