POPE JOHN PAUL II
Pope John Paul II (Saint Pope John Paul II) born Karol Józef Wojtyla 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005 and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He was later canonized as Pope Saint John Paul II. Cardinal Wojtyla was elected pope on the third day of the second papal conclave of 1978, which was called after John Paul I, who had been elected in the first papal conclave of 1978 earlier in August to succeed Pope Paul VI, died after 33 days. Born in Poland, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since Adrian VI in the 16th century and the third longest-serving pope after Pius IX and St. Peter.
John Paul II attempted to improve the Catholic Church’s relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He maintained the church’s previous positions on such matters as abortion, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and a celibate clergy, and although he supported the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he was seen as generally conservative in their interpretation. He put a lot of emphasis on family, identity, and questioned consumerism, hedonism and the pursuit of wealth.
He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. John Paul II was the first globally oriented pope, and he increased the global prestige of the papacy. His emphasis on religious and national freedom was unprecedented. He also centralized control over Catholic educational institutions and maintained traditional church positions on gender and sexual issues. During his long pontificate, John Paul directed the rewriting of several major church texts. The revisions included the new Codex Juris Canonici (1983), the first update of the Code of Canon Law since 1917; Pastor Bonus (1988; “Good Shepherd”), the first reform of the Roman Curia since 1967; and the new Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium (1990; “Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches”). In 1992 he promulgated the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, its first revision in more than four centuries. He was also the first pope to link the protection of the natural environment firmly to Catholic theology, declaring in 1999 that destruction of the environment “can be a grave sin” and “a sign of real contempt for man.”
As pope, John Paul II wrote 14 papal encyclicals and taught about sexuality in what is referred as the “Theology of the Body“. He wrote about 16 books, 7 plays, 3 poetry, 15 audio, 14 encyclicals. John Paul II was a seasoned traveler and reached all corners of the world. He made 104 international trips, and visited 130 countries. In 1992 he promulgated the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, its first revision in more than four centuries. John Paul II was the first globally oriented pope, and he increased the global prestige of the papacy. John Paul II referred to Jews as “older brothers,” and became the first Pope to step inside a synagogue since the times of Jesus. He also prayed before the Western Wall. He was also the first Pope to kiss a Koran, and step inside a mosque. Speaking of spurring inter-religious dialogue, John Paul II was a pioneer in calling for joint prayer in favor of peace, as he did so in Assisi. The first joint prayer was in 1986. More than 150 delegates from 12 religions heeded his call. The started the annual World Youth Day.
He helped the Vatican II write two important documents that were very important in the council. One document was about the work of the church in the modern world and the other document was about Religious freedom. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is the highest civilian award of the United States, along with the Congressional Gold Medal, bestowed by the president of the United States. This was for his meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. He also was awarded the congregational Gold medal award, Order of the white Eagle award, Charlemagne prize award, Order of Smile Award.