John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła) was born on 18 th May 1920.
His mother died in 1929. His eldest brother died in 1932 and his father died in 1941. A sister, Olga, had died before he was born. During the Nazi occupation young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-1944) and then in the Solvay chemical factory .
His mother died in 1929. His eldest brother died in 1932 and his father died in 1941. A sister, Olga, had died before he was born. During the Nazi occupation young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-1944) and then in the Solvay chemical factory .
In 1942 he began courses in the clandestine seminary . After the Second World War, he continued his studies . He was ordained to the priesthood and sent to Rome . He finished his doctorate in theology and returned to Poland as vicar of various parishes as well as chaplain to university students. In 1951 he again took up his studies in philosophy and theology. Later he became professor of moral theology and social ethics .In1964, he was appointed archbishop of Krakow and a cardinal in1967 .
He was elected the Pope on 16 October 1978. His pontificate, lasted nearly 27 years. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy . He established the World Youth Days and the World Meetings of Families .John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with other religions. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. As a private Doctor he also published five books of his own.
On 2 April a.D. 2005, at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday John Paul II departed this world for the Father.
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