Overview
- The Catholic Church marks John Paul II’s memorial on Oct. 22 while also honoring saints such as Abercius of Hierapolis and the martyrs Alodia and Nunilo of Huesca, along with Córdula of Cologne.
- Born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Poland in 1920, he was elected pope on Oct. 16, 1978, serving until 2005 as the first non-Italian pontiff in more than four centuries.
- He undertook over 100 apostolic journeys, became known as the “pilgrim pope,” and championed the New Evangelization.
- His leadership confronted communism in Eastern Europe and included surviving assassination attempts that marked his mission.
- He was beatified in 2011 and canonized in 2014, and is remembered for World Youth Day, prolific canonizations, and writings on human dignity.