Fun Facts About Pope John Paul II
- Pope John Paul II was an avid sportsman, and when cardinals questioned the cost of a swimming pool at his summer residence, he joked that it was "cheaper than another conclave."[1]
- As a boy, Karol Wojtyła played football as a goalkeeper. The Polish club Cracovia, which he supported, later retired the number 1 in his honor.[1]
- Before becoming a priest, the future pope worked as a stage actor and developed a love for the profession at a local theater.[1]
- During the Nazi occupation of Poland, he worked in a limestone quarry and a chemical factory to avoid deportation to Germany.[1]
- Two years after he was shot in St. Peter's Square in 1981, John Paul II visited his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Ağca, in prison and said he had pardoned him.[1]
- John Paul II was declared a saint by Pope Francis, who celebrated the canonization Mass in 2014 together with retired Pope Benedict XVI.[1][3][4]
- Pope John Paul II was alive at the same time as Sarah Bernhardt — their lives overlapped for 3 years (1920–1923).[1][2][5][6]
- Pope John Paul II shares a birthday with Bertrand Russell: both were born on May 18.[1][2][7][8]
Pope John Paul II was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope since Adrian VI in the 16th century, as well as the third longest-serving pope in history, after St. Peter and Pius IX. In addition to this, he was an important philosopher and theologian of the 20th century.[1]
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Questions About Pope John Paul II
When was Pope John Paul II born?
Pope John Paul II was born on May 18, 1920, and died on April 2, 2005.
How old was Pope John Paul II at death?
Pope John Paul II was born on May 18, 1920, and died on April 2, 2005, at age 84.
What was Pope John Paul II known for?
Pope John Paul II was known for: First Polish pope, led the Catholic Church 1978–2005. Pope John Paul II was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope since Adrian VI in the 16th century, as well as the third longest-serving pope in history, after St. Peter and Pius IX. In addition to this, he was an important philosopher and theologian of the 20th century.
Who was alive at the same time as Pope John Paul II?
Pope John Paul II's closest contemporary was Rosa Parks. Their lives overlapped for 85 years.
Sources
- Pope John Paul II — Wikipedia. Text available under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pope John Paul II (Q989) — Wikidata
- Pope Francis — Wikipedia
- Pope Francis (Q450675) — Wikidata
- Sarah Bernhardt — Wikipedia
- Sarah Bernhardt (Q4605) — Wikidata
- Bertrand Russell — Wikipedia
- Bertrand Russell (Q33760) — Wikidata
- Portrait: Pope John Paul II smile.jpg — Wikimedia Commons. Gov.pl, CC BY 3.0 pl