Saint John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła), Pope

Saint John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła) (1920–2005) was Pope from 1978 to 2005, the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years and one of the most influential leaders of modern history. Born in Wadowice, Poland, Wojtyła lived through Nazi occupation and Communist rule, ordained priest in 1946 and consecrated Archbishop of Kraków. His 26-year pontificate was marked by 104 international pastoral trips, the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the articulation of the Theology of the Body, and the launch of World Youth Day. He survived an assassination attempt in Saint Peter's Square in 1981, forgiving his shooter. John Paul II played a decisive role in the peaceful fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and canonized 482 saints. He was canonized by Pope Francis in 2014.