Pope John Paul II, the third-longest serving pope, passed away on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84 after a period of declining health. His final public appearance occurred on March 30, 2005, at St. Peter’s Square, where he blessed a crowd of pilgrims despite being unable to speak. At 9:37 p.m. that day, he passed away, expressing his desire to go to the house of the Father before slipping into a coma. Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz of Kraków celebrated Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday in his bedroom about 90 minutes before his death, and the pope received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.
Born as Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920, Pope John Paul II experienced significant personal losses early in life, with the deaths of his mother in 1929, his brother in 1932, and his father in 1941. It was his father’s death that led him to seriously consider the priesthood, and during World War II, he studied for the priesthood at an underground seminary in Kraków. After the war, he continued his studies and was ordained a priest in 1946. He served as auxiliary bishop of Kraków, then archbishop, and was eventually appointed to the College of Cardinals in 1967.
Pope Paul VI appointed Cardinal Wojtyła as Archbishop of Kraków in 1964, and he participated in his first conclave in 1978, following the death of John Paul I. On October 16, 1978, he was elected as the new pope, taking the name John Paul II, becoming the first non-Italian pope in over four centuries. Throughout his papacy, he undertook numerous international visits, authored several encyclicals and other writings, and survived an assassination attempt in 1981. He was a strong proponent of the message of Divine Mercy and canonized numerous saints during his tenure.
Saint John Paul II was beatified on May 1, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI, who waived the customary five-year waiting period for his canonization process. This process was officially opened on May 13, 2005, the anniversary of his assassination attempt. He was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, alongside Pope John XIII, on Divine Mercy Sunday. Throughout his life and papacy, John Paul II was a beloved figure known for his dedication to the message of Divine Mercy, his extensive travels, and his significant impact on the Catholic Church and the world. His legacy continues to resonate with millions of followers worldwide.
In conclusion, Pope John Paul II was a significant figure in the Catholic Church, known for his extensive travels, various writings, and dedication to the message of Divine Mercy. His life was marked by personal tragedies, including the loss of his family members at a young age, which influenced his decision to pursue the priesthood. Throughout his papacy, he made a profound impact on the Church, canonizing numerous saints, surviving an assassination attempt, and promoting the message of mercy. His canonization process was expedited, and he was officially declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2014, cementing his place in history as a beloved and influential figure in the Catholic Church.
