Karol Wojtyła

ID: OS-003842-P/118618

Karol Wojtyła

First name:

Karol

Last Name:

Wojtyła

Maiden name or alternative names:

Jan Paweł II, łac. Ioannes Paulus PP. II, wł. Giovanni Paolo II

Middle name:

Józef

Parents:

Karol Wojtyła i Emilia z Kaczorowskich

Date of birth:

18-05-1920

Place of birth:

Wadowice

Date of death:

02-04-2005

Place od death:

Watykan

Age:

Profession:

poet, clergyman, playwright, pedagogue, philosopher

Honours and awards:

Order Orła Białego (1993), Prezydencki Medal Wolności z Wyróżnieniem (2004)

Biography:

Karol Wojtyła (1920-2005) born in Wadowice, son of Karol Wojtyła and Emilia née Kaczorowska. He studied at the Martin Wadowita Male Gymnasium in Wadowice. In 1935 he was admitted to the Marian Sodality. He studied Polish Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Jagiellonian University. In 1942, he entered the Metropolitan Seminary in Krakow. During these studies he wrote many poems. In 1946, he became a priest, ordained by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapiecha. He continued his studies in Rome at the Pontifical International Athenaeum Angelicum. He received his doctorate in 1948. In 1958 he became auxiliary bishop of Krakow. In 1963 he was appointed archbishop metropolitan of Krakow. In 1967 he became a cardinal. In 1978 he became pope. During his pontificate, he travelled extensively; pilgrimages were one of John Paul II's important goals. Many believe that he contributed to the collapse of the communist systems in Central and Eastern Europe. From 1992 he suffered from Parkinson's disease. He died in 2005.