Pope John Paul II

Date of Birth: 18 May 1920

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 2 April 2005

Biography

Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła, was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005. He was born in the town of Wadowice, Poland, and was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. His pontificate, lasting over 26 years, was one of the longest in history. John Paul II is remembered for his efforts to end communism, his extensive travels, and his advocacy for human rights. He was canonized as a saint on 27 April 2014 by Pope Francis.

5 Interesting Facts about Pope John Paul II

1. Pope John Paul II was the first pope to visit a synagogue, reflecting his commitment to interfaith dialogue.

2. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981 when he was shot in St. Peter’s Square by Mehmet Ali Ağca.

3. John Paul II was an accomplished linguist, fluent in multiple languages including Polish, Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin.

4. He was a prolific writer, authoring 14 encyclicals and numerous books, including “Crossing the Threshold of Hope.”

5. John Paul II played a crucial role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, particularly in his native Poland.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Pope John Paul II

1. “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ.”

2. “The future starts today, not tomorrow.”

3. “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”

4. “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”

5. “To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a head of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II did not amass personal wealth. The Vatican’s wealth is held in trust for the Church’s mission and activities.