We Remember

His Holiness

Pope John Paul IIMay 18, 1920 - April 2, 2005

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center

© L’Osservatore Romano

Information Source:http://www.vatican.va

On October 16, 1978, Karol Wojtyla was chosen successor to Pope John Paul I, and became the 264th pope of the Catholic Church. He took the name John Paul II.

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, the first Polish pope, and the youngest pope since Pius IX.

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Since the start of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II completed 104 pastoral visits outside of Italy and 146 within Italy. As Bishop of Rome, he visited 317 of 333 parishes.

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John Paul II’s principal documents include 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions and 45 apostolic letters.

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John Paul II published five books:• “Memory and Identity” (2005)

• “Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way” (2004)

• “Roman Triptych – Meditations” (2003)

• “Gift and Mystery: On the 50th Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination” (1996)

• “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” (1994)

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John Paul II presided at 147 beatification ceremonies and 51 canonization ceremonies during his pontificate.

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John Paul II held 9 consistories in which he created 231 cardinals. He also convened six plenary meetings of the College of Cardinals.

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John Paul II has presided at 15 Synods of Bishops: six ordinary, one extraordinary, and eight special.

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Photography courtesy of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center © L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John Paul II encountered more individuals than any other pope. These include the more than 17.6 million pilgrims participating in Wednesday general audiences, special audiences at religious ceremonies, visits with government officials, heads of state and prime ministers, and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits throughout the world.

Pope John Paul IIMay 18, 1920 - April 2, 2005