Feast:  22 October.

Profile:

Studied for the priesthood secretly during the German occupation of Poland. Was a parish priest and then a university professor before Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of Krakow.

Proved himself a noble and trustworthy pastor in the face of Communist persecution. Prominent contributor to Vatican II. Elected Pope on 16 October 1978, the first non-Italian pope since 1522.

The most traveled pope in history, having visited nearly every country in the world which would receive him. Emphasized the universal call to holiness; beatified 1,340 blesseds and canonized 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. Is regarded as the single biggest influence in the fall of communism in the USSR. As the Vicar of Christ he consecrated each place that he has visited to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On 25 March 1984 consecrated the world to Mary in union with all the Bishops of the Catholic Church, in fulfillment of Our Lady‘s promises at Fatima.

Respected in both the Catholic and non-Catholic world. At the time of his death he was the most beloved man on earth.

Born: 18 May 1920 at Wadowice, Poland, as Karol Józef Wojtyła. 

Died: 2 April 2005 in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City of natural causes.

Canonized: 27 April 2014 by Pope Francis.

Patronage: 

Poland; popes; World Youth Day.