Karol Józef Wojtyła
- Born:
- May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland
- Died:
- April 2, 2005, Vatican City
- Nationality:
- Polish, Vatican City (from 1978)
- Profession(s):
- Priest, Archbishop, Cardinal, Pope, Philosopher, Playwright, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Born in Wadowice, Poland, the youngest of three children.
- Early education included primary and secondary schooling in Wadowice.
- Studied philology at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland (secretly during the Nazi occupation).
- Entered a clandestine seminary in Kraków during World War II.
- Ordained as a priest in 1946.
- Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome (1948).
Career and Major Achievements
- Served as a parish priest in various locations in Poland.
- Professor of moral theology and ethics at the Jagiellonian University and the Catholic University of Lublin.
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kraków in 1958.
- Appointed Archbishop of Kraków in 1964.
- Elevated to Cardinal in 1967.
- Elected Pope on October 16, 1978, taking the name John Paul II.
- First non-Italian Pope in 455 years.
- Second-longest serving Pope in modern history.
- Traveled extensively throughout the world, making pastoral visits to over 120 countries.
- Instrumental in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.
Notable Works
- Published numerous theological and philosophical works, poems, and plays.
- Promulgated several encyclicals, including Redemptor Hominis, Dives in Misericordia, Laborem Exercens, Veritatis Splendor, and Evangelium Vitae.
- Authored the apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio.
- Wrote the book Crossing the Threshold of Hope.
Legacy and Impact
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Awards and Honors
| Award/Honor | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Freedom Award | 1989 | For his role in fighting for religious freedom and ending communism. |
| Time Magazine Person of the Year | 1994 | Recognizing his significant influence on world events. |
| Numerous honorary degrees from universities worldwide. | Various | In recognition of his intellectual contributions and leadership. |