Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920 in a small town of Wadowice, Poland, the talented and dedicated Polish priest (ordained on November 1, 1946) quickly rose in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Poland, where his wisdom and ability to stand up to the communist authorities became legendary. He was elected the Pope on 16 October 1978 and chose his name to show allegiance to his great predecessors who opened the Catholic Church to the world and reformed the ancient institution: Paul VI, John XXIII, and John Paul I.
The first non-Italian Pope in 456 years, John Paul II was a man of many talents, great erudition, intelligence, and wisdom. He spoke eight languages and wrote over 180 books, including treatises, encyclicals, sermons, speeches, memoirs, poetry and plays. He wrote as a theologian, scholar, teacher, counselor, and mentor, and a witness of his times. His first encyclical "Redemptor Hominis" was dedicated to the theme of human dignity. In other of his fourteen encyclicals he emphasized the merciful love of God ("Dives in Misericordia"), criticized communist approaches to labor ("Solicitudo Rei Socialis") while arguing for faith-based social justice. Later, he affirmed the moral principles of the Catholic Church ("Veritatis Splendor") and the foundation of the Church in Eucharist ("Ecclesia de Eucharistia").
The directness of his voice was unmistakable: he addressed crowds of millions as if speaking to each person individually. Throughout his 26-years at the helm of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II attempted to visit every country where Catholics lived, returning to some communities repeatedly. The Pope was an advocate of non-violent, peaceful change, greatly saddened by wars and crimes of genocide that took place during his reign. He spread the message of Christ's love and forgiveness throughout the world in 104 foreign travels, widely publicized by the media. During frequent visits to his homeland of Poland, he inspired millions of Poles to stand up to the government in the Solidarity movement, formed in 1980 and victorious in 1989.
John Paul II paid a lot of attention to ministering to the youth and, since 1985 organized World youth Days in Rome - festivals of faith and adventure for young believers. Adherent of strict moral values, the Pope canonized a great number of saints from various ethnic backgrounds. He invited spiritual leaders from various traditions to pray with him during World Days for Peace (since 1986) and initiated historical reconciliation between Eastern and Western Christianity, as well as with the Jews. The first Pope to enter a synagogue in 1986, John Paul II prayed at the Weeping Wall in Jerusalem and frequently met with Jewish leaders. He formally apologized to the victims of the Crusades, the Inquisition, and other crimes conducted in the name of religion. He was a personal example of fervent faith, prayer, and a devotion to Mary ("Totus Tuus" - "All Yours" was his Marian motto).
Suffering with Christ, the Pope survived an assassination attempt in 1981, forgave his would-be-murderer, and, recently chose to die "serenely" in office, thus affirming the value of human life until its end. The most influential and charismatic leader of any institution in the 20th century, he will remain an inspiration for millions of believers worldwide.
