John Paul II, was born on May 18, 1920, was elected pope on Oct. 16, 1978, succeeding John Paul I. His name was Karol Josef Wojtyla. John Paul II is the first Polish pope and the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century. During his pontificate he has traveled more extensively than any of his predecessors, preaching to millions of people on 6 continents and in more than 50 nations. The son of a Polish army officer, Karol Wojtyla was born …showed first 75 words of 583 total…

…showed last 75 words of 583 total…Catholics against fellow Christians, Jews, women, minorities, and other groups, and for the times when the church had failed to recognize Christ in the poor and the persecuted. John Paul II has been an active and forceful pope whose public exposure has made him a spiritual leader throughout the world. He has survived two assassination attempts: one in Saint Peter's Square in 1981 in which he was seriously wounded, and another, without injury, in Portugal in 1982.