Pope St. John Paul II

Karol Wojtyla grew up in Poland and became a priest after his studies in an underground seminary during World War II. Fr. Wojtyla gave himself wholeheartedly to whatever he was assigned to do, be it academic work or canoe trips with the youth in his parish.

When he became pope in 1978, John Paul II continued to lead the Church with great magnificence and enthusiasm. He started World Youth Days, invited all to come into the Church, and did other great things in love and wisdom, with hard work and perseverance, undergirded by an intense prayer life. He said, “Do not be afraid!” over and over again and was a real inspiration to many people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike.