St. John Paul II

Introduction & Top Questions
Early life and influences
Decision to join the priesthood
Actions as cardinal
Election as pope
First year of travels
Political and cultural messages
Dialogue with other faiths
- World religions
- Christian ecumenism
Ecclesiastical and theological contributions
Final years
Legacy
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Images & Videos

Infographic featuring a central illustration of a pope, surrounded by labeled facts such as the total number of popes, most common papal names, oldest and youngest elected, longest and shortest reigns, number of popes made saints, official titles, and origins by country.

Pope John Paul II sits on an ornate chair wearing red robes, with a portrait of St. Theresa of Avila visible behind him during his 1982 visit to Avila, Spain.

Pope John Paul II in red and white papal robes and mitre, holding a silver staff and raising his hand in blessing during a public event in Coventry, England.

Pope John Paul II, dressed in white papal robes, places a folded note into the cracks of the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City.

Pope John Paul II signs a document at a desk while Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger stands behind him, watching, both in clerical attire.

At a Glance

Christ as Ruler, with the Apostles and Evangelists (represented by the beasts). The female figures are believed to be either Santa Pudenziana and Santa Praxedes or symbols of the Jewish and Gentile churches. Mosaic in the apse of Santa Pudenziana, Rome,A

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Quizzes

Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday

Christianity Quiz

George I (1660-1727) by Sir Godfrey Kneller, c. 1714. Portrait showing him in his coronation robes, wearing the chain of the Order of the Garter. His right hand rests on the Orb and the Crown is on the table.

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Related Questions

How did Karol Wojtyła challenge communist restrictions on religion in Poland?
How did Karol Wojtyła’s childhood in Poland influence his later life?
How did Pope John Paul II build dialogue with Muslim leaders?
How did Pope John Paul II criticize both communism and Western capitalism?
How did Pope John Paul II encourage people to reject violence done in the name of religion?
How did Pope John Paul II help bring about Vatican recognition of Israel?
How did Pope John Paul II promote human rights and religious freedom?
How did Pope John Paul II respond to Mehmet Ali Ağca after the assassination attempt?
How did Pope John Paul II seek better relations with Jewish people?
How did Pope John Paul II support the Solidarity movement in Poland?
How did Pope John Paul II work to improve relations with other Christian churches?
How did the Nazi occupation of Poland affect Karol Wojtyła’s education?
How long was Pope John Paul II’s pontificate?
What did Pope John Paul II do at the Western Wall in Jerusalem in 2000?
What did the McCarrick Report reveal about Pope John Paul II’s response to abuse allegations?
What effects did Pope John Paul II’s 1998 visit to Cuba have on the Catholic Church there?
What happened during the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II?
What major Catholic Church texts were revised under Pope John Paul II?
What message did Pope John Paul II emphasize at his installation Mass in 1978?
What were Pope John Paul II’s positions on abortion and artificial contraception?
When did Karol Józef Wojtyła serve as Pope John Paul II?
When is the feast day of St. John Paul II?
When was Karol Wojtyła ordained as a priest?
When was Pope John Paul II beatified and canonized?
Where did Karol Wojtyła work during World War II?
Which countries did Pope John Paul II visit during his first trip abroad?
Which pope did John Paul II succeed?
Who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981?
Who succeeded Pope John Paul II?
Why did Karol Wojtyła attend an illegal seminary during World War II?
Why did Karol Wojtyła become known for speaking to large crowds?
Why did Karol Wojtyła support building a church in Nowa Huta?
Why did Pope John Paul II censure theologian Hans Küng?
Why did Pope John Paul II describe environmental destruction as a grave sin?
Why did Pope John Paul II invite religious leaders to Assisi in 1986?
Why did some traditionalist Catholics criticize the Assisi prayer meeting?
Why did the Russian Orthodox Church remain cautious about Pope John Paul II’s outreach?
Why was Pope John Paul II’s canonization of Edith Stein controversial?
Why was Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Great Mosque of Damascus historic?
Why was Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Great Synagogue of Rome important?
Why was the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church significant?
What is St. John Paul II the patron saint of?
What was the miracle of St. John Paul II?
What is St. John Paul II known for?
What were St. John Paul II’s accomplishments?
Why is St. Leo I called “Leo the Great?”
What were St. Damasus I’s accomplishments as pope?
What was the miracle of St. Sylvester I?
What is the Donation of Constantine?
What was Gregory XIII known for?
Which pope is associated with a dragon?

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External Websites

The Holy See - John Paul II
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Pope John Paul II
ABC listen - Late Night Live - Beatification and Pope John Paul II
Official Site of Saint John Paul II National Shrine
CNN World - Pope John Paul II Fast Facts
BBC News - Life of Pope John Paul II
Jewish Virtual Library - Pope John Paul II
The MY HERO Project - Pope John Paul II

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Saint John Paul II - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Saint John Paul II - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

St. John Paul II

pope

Also known as: Johannes Paulus II, Karol Józef Wojtyła

Written by

William B. Blakemore

Veteran foreign and domestic correspondent Bill Blakemore joined ABC News in 1970 in the Mideast and India. He has covered a dozen wars or major conflicts including the Black September, Bangladesh, Intifada,...

William B. Blakemore

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 5, 2026 •History

St. John Paul II (born May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland—died April 2, 2005, Vatican City; beatified May 1, 2011; canonized April 27, 2014; feast day October 22) was the pope, the bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church, from 1978 to 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country. His pontificate of more than 26 years was the third longest in history. As...

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