Pope John Paul II
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motto: Totus Tuus | |
Birth name | Karol Józef Wojtyła |
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Born | May 18, 1920 Wadowice, Poland |
Died | April 2, 2005 Apostolic Palace, Vatican City |
Papacy from | October 16, 1978 – April 2, 2005 |
Came after | Pope John Paul I |
Came before | Pope Benedict XVI |
Pope John Paul II was born in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920 as Karol Józef Wojtyła and died on April 2, 2005. He was Pope (Bishop of Rome), head of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Sovereign of Vatican City. He was one of the longest reigning Popes (besides Saint Peter and Pope Pius IX), and also one of the most popular.
John Paul II became Pope on October 16 1978. For 455 years before that, all popes had been Italians. John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in all this time. He was also the first, and still the only Slavic pope ever.
John Paul II was against communism. He was also against capitalism that was not controlled, and he did not like for people to be prevented from being free by governments. He was against abortion and contraception. As head of the largest Christian group, John Paul II taught a conservative view of human sexuality. He was against homosexuality, etc., and in favor of people starting families including one husband and wife.