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Also know as
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Karol Wojtyła, Karol Wojtyla, John Paul II, Karol Jozef Wojtyla, John Paul, Giovanni Paolo II, Jan Paweł II, Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Stanisław Andrzej Gruda, Andrzej Jawień, John Paul the Great, Karol Józef Wojtyla, Papez Jan Pavel II., Papiez Jan Pawel II, Joan Pau II, The Pilgrim Pope, Blessed John Paul, Karol Józef Wojtyła, Karol Józef Wojtyła, Karol Józef Wojtyła, Le bienheureux Jean-Paul II, Karol Wojtyła, Karol Wojtyla, Karol Wojtyła, Karol Józef Wojtyla, Karol Jozef Wojtyla, Giovanni Paolo II, Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Lolek, Ioannes Paulus Secundus, Beato Paus Yohanes Paulus II, Johannes Paulus II, Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Karol Józef Wojtyła, Andrzej Jawien, Ioannes Paulus Secundus, Lolek, Blessed John Paul, The Pilgrim Pope, Joan Pau II, Papiez Jan Pawel II, Papez Jan Pavel II., John Paul the Great, Andrzej Jawień, Stanisław Andrzej Gruda, Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Jan Paweł II, Giovanni Paolo II, John Paul, Karol Jozef Wojtyla, Karol Józef Wojtyla, Karol Wojtyła,
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Pope John Paul II, sometimes called Blessed John Paul or John Paul the Great, born Karol Józef Wojtyła, was Pope from 16 October 1978 to his death in 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in history and, as a Pole, the first non-Italian since Pope Adrian VI, who died in 1523.
John Paul II was one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. He is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. Controversially, he upheld the Church's teachings against artificial contraception and the ordination of women, he supported the Church's Second Vatican Council and its reform, and he held firm orthodox Catholic stances. He is known for his implementation of several papal documents pertaining to the role of the Church in the modern world.
He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. He named most of the present College of Cardinals, consecrated or co-consecrated a large number of the world's past and current bishops, and ordained many priests. A key goal of his papacy was to transform and reposition the Catholic Church. His wish was "to place his Church at the heart of a new religious alliance that would bring together Jews, Muslims and Christians in a great [religious] armada".
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