Tomb of Pope St. John Paul II
Piazza San Pietro Città del Vaticano VA
First Polish Pope, key leader in the New Evangelization, and helped bring about the fall of Communisim
At the altar of St. Sebastian are the remains of Pope St. John Paul II who was pope from October 16, 1978 to April 2nd, 2005. He was canonized on April 27, 2014. His body was moved from the Vatican grottoes to the main floor of St. Peter's in the days following his beatification in May 2011.
Born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, Pope St. John Paul II was the 264th pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1978 to 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years and became one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.
During his early life, he survived the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II and was ordained a priest in 1946 and became the Archbishop of Kraków in 1964 playing a key role in resisting communist rule in Poland. His election as pope on October 16, 1978, marked a historic moment. As John Paul II, he strongly advocated for human rights, religious freedom, and peace, significantly influencing the fall of communism, particularly in Eastern Europe. In 1981, he survived an assassination attempt and later forgave his attacker, demonstrating his deep commitment to mercy and reconciliation.
Throughout his papacy, he became the most traveled pope in history, visiting 129 countries and reaching millions of people. He worked tirelessly to promote interfaith dialogue, strengthening relations between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. His writings, including numerous encyclicals, shaped modern Catholic theology and addressed contemporary moral and social issues.
In his later years, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease but continued to lead the Church with resilience. He passed away on April 2, 2005, at the Vatican, prompting an outpouring of global mourning. Recognized for his holiness and impact, he was beatified in 2011 and canonized a saint in 2014 by Pope Francis. Today, he is remembered for his charisma, deep spirituality, and lasting influence on both the Church and the world.