His real name is Karol Józef Wojtyła He was born in 18th May 1920 His real name is Karol Józef Wojtyła He was born in 18th May 1920 and died in 2nd April 2005.and died in 2nd April 2005.

He was born in Wadowice in southern Poland.He was born in Wadowice in southern Poland.

His mother, Emilia died when he was nine years old.His mother, Emilia died when he was nine years old.

His youth was marked by extensive contacts with the then thriving His youth was marked by extensive contacts with the then thriving Jewish Community of Wadowice.Jewish Community of Wadowice.

He played football, was an athlete, actor and also a playwright.He played football, was an athlete, actor and also a playwright.

Karol enrolled the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Karol enrolled the Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

He worked as a librarian and did compulsory military training in the He worked as a librarian and did compulsory military training in the Academic Legion.Academic Legion.

Karol Wojtyła as a Karol Wojtyła as a student, 1938student, 1938

What I admire most about Pope John Paul II is that he was a What I admire most about Pope John Paul II is that he was a very dedicated Pope and he kept working conscientiously until his very dedicated Pope and he kept working conscientiously until his death.death.

His early reign was marked by his opposition to communism.His early reign was marked by his opposition to communism.

He was also notable for speaking against consumerism, He was also notable for speaking against consumerism, unrestrained capitalism, war, dictatorship, fascism, abortion, unrestrained capitalism, war, dictatorship, fascism, abortion, relativism, and what he deemed “The Culture of Death.”relativism, and what he deemed “The Culture of Death.”

He visited more than 100 countries, more than any of his He visited more than 100 countries, more than any of his predecessors.predecessors.

Pope John Paul II traveled extensively and came into contact Pope John Paul II traveled extensively and came into contact with believers from many divergent faiths. with believers from many divergent faiths.

He constantly attempted to find common ground, both doctrinal He constantly attempted to find common ground, both doctrinal and dogmatic. and dogmatic.

At the World Day of Prayer for Peace, held in Assisi on October At the World Day of Prayer for Peace, held in Assisi on October 27, 1986, more than 120 representatives of different religions and 27, 1986, more than 120 representatives of different religions and Christian denominations spent a day together with fasting and Christian denominations spent a day together with fasting and praying.praying.

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II blessing faithful blessing faithful while visiting while visiting Brazil in 1997.Brazil in 1997.

Pope John Paul II had a special relationship also Pope John Paul II had a special relationship also with the Catholic youth and he is known by some as with the Catholic youth and he is known by some as ‘The Pope for Y’outh’.‘The Pope for Y’outh’.

He still went mountain hiking when he was a Pope.He still went mountain hiking when he was a Pope.

He established World Youth Day in 1984 with the He established World Youth Day in 1984 with the intention of bringing young Catholics from all parts of intention of bringing young Catholics from all parts of the world together to celebrate their faith. the world together to celebrate their faith.

These week-long meetings of youth occur every two These week-long meetings of youth occur every two or three years, attracting hundreds of thousands of or three years, attracting hundreds of thousands of young people, who go there to sing, party, have a young people, who go there to sing, party, have a good time and deepen their faith. good time and deepen their faith.

As pope, John Paul’s II most important role was to As pope, John Paul’s II most important role was to teach people about Christianity.teach people about Christianity.

He wrote 14 papal encyclicals that many observers He wrote 14 papal encyclicals that many observers believe will have long-lasting influence on the church.believe will have long-lasting influence on the church.

His most faithful youths gathered themselves in two His most faithful youths gathered themselves in two organizations: "papa boys" and "papa girls."organizations: "papa boys" and "papa girls."

Priest Karol Priest Karol Wojtyła on kayak Wojtyła on kayak trip trip