The Politics of Pope John Paul II

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Karol Jozef Wojtyla was born in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920, shortly after Marshal Jozef Pilsudski defeated the Soviet Red Army to gain Polish independence. Like most young boys, Karol enjoyed an active childhood, playing soccer and swimming often, although he was most known for his remarkable intelligence and respect at a very young age. When he was eight years old, his mother, Emilia, died of an infection of the heart, and shortly afterward, his only brother, a physician, contracted scarlet fever from a patient and passed away. When learning of the deaths of his mother and brother, witnesses recalled young Karol’s response to the news to be a simple remark: “Such was God’s will.” By the time he was 21, Hitler had already occupied his homeland, ending Poland’s only period of independence between 1772 and 1989. Shortly after the Nazi invasion, Karol’s father, Karol Senior, also passed away after a prolonged illness, leaving 20 year old Karol without family. (Vatican Online) About thirty eight years later, in 1978, the College of Cardinals elected the young Polish Cardinal, Wojtyla, to become the 264th Bishop of Rome and the Vicar of Christ; the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years. On October 22 of that year, Wojtyla was installed as Pope John Paul II, honoring the two popes of the Second Vatican Council, whose reforms he intended to continue throughout the duration of his papacy. Once in power, John Paul immediately displayed an activist approach which was unprecedented in the papacy. Despite advancements in transportation and technology, his activism in the world was still a remarkable attribute, for popes have historically stated their beliefs and principles r... ... middle of paper ... ... Glendon, Mary Ann. Public Acts of Contrition Spin Out of Control Hennigan, Aidan. "Thatcher Unyielding." Irish Press 21 November 1980: p. 1 John Paul II." Encyclopædia Britannica 2003 Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 4 Mar, 2003 < http://search.eb.com/eb/article?eu=44848 >. John Paul II, the Holy See Rafferty, Jean. “Sins of the Father.” Scotland on Sunday 28 April 2002: Pg.1 Strani, Katerina. “Pope in Greece: Good will and firm position.” Moscow News 9 May 2001: Pg.19 “The personal is political in this pope’s pilgrimage.” New Zealand Herald 12 May 2001: NEWS; World

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