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Pope John Paul II
Karol Wojtyła became Pope John Paul II in 1978 and led the Catholic Church until 2005. His papacy included extensive international travel, interfaith engagement, and a central role in the late Cold War era.
Ministry and papacy
Wojtyła served as a priest, bishop, and cardinal in Poland before his election as pope in October 1978. As John Paul II he traveled widely, met with people across religious traditions, and led the Church through major political and social changes.
Record and legacy
John Paul II was the first Polish pope and the first non-Italian pope in centuries. His public teaching, global travel, canonizations, and influence on Catholic life made his papacy one of the most visible of the modern era. He died in 2005 and was canonized in 2014.
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