Pope john paul ii biography videos

(1920-2005)

Who Was Pope John Paul II?

Pope John Paul II was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, and became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964.

He was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967, and in 1978 became the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years. He was a vocal advocate for human rights and used his influence to effect political change. He died in Italy in 2005.

Pope john paul ii biography videos

It was announced in July 2013 that he would be declared a saint in April of the following year.

Early Life

Born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, Pope John Paul II's early life was marked by great loss.

His mother died when he was nine years old, and his older brother Edmund died when he was 12.

Growing up, John Paul was athletic and enjoyed skiing and swimming. He went to Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 where he showed an interest in theater and poetry.

The school was closed the next year by Nazi troops during the German occupation of Pola