John Paul the II

Who was John Paul the Second?

Pope John Paul II is said to be the most recognized person in the world. He was the "most traveled Pope in the 2,000 year history of the Church and speaks eight languages." He was born Karol Joseph Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920. In 1978, at the age of 58 the College of Cardinals elected him to lead the Roman Catholic Church. "He was the first non-Italian chosen as Pope in 456 years and the youngest in this century." At age 61 he suffered serious wounds during an assassination attempt.

His election:
He was elected in October 1978. Wojtiyla became the first ever non-Italian pope in 455 years. He took the name of John Paul II. His first trip:
Within months of his election, the pope went to Poland for a a visit that some historians say helped end the Cold War.

By the 1980s, the pope had "reaffirmed the church's position on controversial issues such as abortion, birth control and the ordination of women." He communicated his message in eight languages and traveled widely.

An important book:
"A recording of the pope reciting the rosary in Latin was set to music and sold commercially in 1994. An Italian journalist published the pope's responses to 20 questions; the book became a best-seller."

His more important acts:
He help to destroy the communist system in Russia and he help to destroy the Berlin wall.

He died:
John Paul II died the 12 of April of 2005.

Pope Benedict XVII

His successor: Cardinal Ratzinger whose apostolic name is Benedict XVII.