St. John Paul II
Polish pope (1920-2005), Karol Wojtyła, Archbishop of Kraków under communism, elected 1978 as first non-Italian pope in 455 years; his 27-year pontificate—third longest in history—is credited with major contributions to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, the establishment of World Youth Day, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Code of Canon Law (1983), and the most extensive program of canonizations in papal history. Canonized 2014 by Francis.
Life & Times
Born: 18 May 1920 · Died: 2 April 2005 · From: Poland / Vatican City.
Patronage
St. John Paul II is invoked as the patron of world youth day, families, young people, poland. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“Be not afraid!”— Inaugural homily as Pope, October 22, 1978, St. Peter's Square
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Devotional items honoring St. John Paul II, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. John Paul II, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.