best biography of pope john paul ii

John Paul II

Pope John Paul II made history in 1978 by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years.

(1920-2005)

Who Was Pope John Paul II?

Pope John Paul II was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, and became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964. He was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967, and in 1978 became the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years. He was a vocal advocate for human rights and used his influence to effect political change. He died in Italy in 2005. It was announced in July 2013 that he would be declared a saint in April of the following year.

Born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, Pope John Paul II's early life was marked by great loss. His mother died when he was nine years old, and his older brother Edmund died when he was 12.

Growing up, John Paul was athletic and enjoyed skiing and swimming. He went to Krakow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 where he showed an interest in theater and poetry. The school was closed the next year by Nazi troops during the German occupation of Poland. Wanting to become a priest, John Paul began studying at a secret seminary run by the archbishop of Krakow. After World War II ended, he finished his religious studies at a Krakow seminary and was ordained in 1946.

Rise Within the Church

John Paul spent two years in Rome where he finished his doctorate in theology. He returned to his native Poland in 1948 and served in several parishes in and around Krakow. John Paul became the bishop of Ombi in 1958 and then the archbishop of Krakow six years later. Considered one of the Catholic Church's leading thinkers, he participated in the Second Vatican Council—sometimes called Vatican II. The council began reviewing church doctrine in 1962, holding several sessions over the course of the next few years. As a member of the council, John Paul helped the church to examine its position in the world. Well regarded for his contributions to the church, John Paul was made a cardinal in 1967 by Pope Paul VI.

Becoming Pope

In 1978, John Paul made history by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than four hundred years. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he traveled the world, visiting more than 100 countries to spread his message of faith and peace. But he was close to home when he faced the greatest threat to his life. In 1981, an assassin shot John Paul twice in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Fortunately, he was able to recover from his injuries and later forgave his attacker.

A vocal advocate for human rights, John Paul often spoke out about suffering in the world. He held strong positions on many topics, including his opposition to capital punishment. A charismatic figure, John Paul used his influence to bring about political change and is credited with the fall of communism in his native Poland. He was not without critics, however. Some have stated that he could be harsh with those who disagreed with him and that he would not compromise his hard-line stance on certain issues, such as contraception.

In his later years, John Paul's health appeared to be failing. At public appearances, he moved slowly and seemed unsteady on his feet. He also visibly trembled at times. One of his doctors also disclosed that John Paul had Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder often characterized by shaking, in 2001. But there was never any official announcement about his illness from the Vatican.

Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84, at his Vatican City residence. More than 3 million people waited in line to say good-bye to their beloved religious leader at St. Peter's Basilica before his funeral on April 8.

On July 5, 2013, waving the usual five-year waiting period, the Vatican announced that the Roman Catholic Church would declare Pope John Paul II a saint and that the canonization ceremony would likely take place within the next 16 months. The Vatican also stated that Pope John XXIII, who headed the Catholic Church from 1958 until his death in 1963 and convened the Vatican II council, would also be declared a saint.

On September 30, 2013, Pope Francis announced that the canonizations of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII would occur on April 27, 2014. The announcement of Pope John Paul II's canonization came after the Vatican revealed that two miracles were attributed to the late pope. After a dying French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre Normand, prayed to Pope John Paul II for during her battle with Parkinson's disease—the same illness that killed the pope—she was cured. The second miracle involved a 50-year-old woman, who claimed that she was cured of a brain aneurysm after a photograph of Pope John Paul II spoke to her.

The official sainthood ceremony, held on April 27, 2014, brought together four popes. Pope Francis led the event to elevate Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII to sainthood, which was also attended by Francis's predecessor Emeritus Pope Benedict.

QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1920
• Birth date: May 18, 1920
• Birth City: Wadowice
• Birth Country: Poland
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Pope John Paul II made history in 1978 by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years.
• Christianity
• Astrological Sign: Taurus
• Krakow seminary
• Jagiellonian University
• Nacionalities
• Interesting Facts
• Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years.
• Death Year: 2005
• Death date: April 2, 2005
• Death City: Vatican City
• Death Country: Italy

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: John Paul II Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/john-paul-ii
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E Television Networks
• Last Updated: April 9, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
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Ten great works about the life and thought of Pope St. John Paul II

Books by George Weigel, Andrea Riccardi, Sławomir Oder, Darcy O’Brien, and others, along with one film.

May 12, 2020 Filip Mazurczak The Dispatch 1 Print

The hundredth anniversary of the birth of St. John Paul II, one of the most influential popes in Church history, will be on Monday May 18. Because of COVID-19 lockdown measures, some of us have more opportunities to read books and watch movies than usual. What better time to learn more about Karol Wojtyła’s life, thought, and legacy than now? Here is a list of the ten exceptional works about Pope St. John Paul II: nine books and one film.

• Witness to Hope (Harper Perennial, 2001) ; The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II – The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years (Image, 2010), the Legacy; Lessons in Hope: My Unexpected Life with St. John Paul II (Basic Books, 2017), by George Weigel

If you ever read about Pope John Paul II in works of history and look at the footnotes, they will likely reference Weigel’s books, especially Witness to Hope , the definitive biography of the pontiff. George Weigel spent years interviewing the pope and people who knew him in Poland, Rome, and elsewhere. Witness to Hope works well as an encyclopedia on John Paul’s life and especially his pilgrimages to different nations and their social, political, and religious context and impact.

Many of Weigel’s interlocutors have revealed rather interesting details and shared quotable remarks. For example, Cardinal Jaime Sin, the late archbishop of Manila and the informal leader of the 1986 peaceful revolution against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, tells Weigel that he was inspired by the examples of John Paul II and Solidarity. Meanwhile, Weigel quotes Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the postulator of the cause for canonization of St. Oscar Romero, who was unfairly and inaccurately accused by some of being a Marxist sympathizer, who says of the Salvadoran martyr: “This bishop is the Church’s bishop, not the Left’s bishop.”

Witness to Hope was published in early 2000, five years before John Paul II’s death. The End and the Beginning , however, is not a mere sequel. Apart from chronicling the last five years of the saint’s life (including his death, which moved millions), it also features a fine assessment of John Paul II’s role in the collapse of communism.

The most recent part of the “Weigel trilogy” is Lessons in Hope . This is Weigel’s engaging and never self-indulgent memoir of how he wrote Witness to Hope . The book contains a myriad of many great names in Catholic history Weigel had the privilege of meeting while working on the book. Chronicling Weigel’s beginnings as a journalist in the 1970s and his evolution as one of America’s leading Catholic commentators, Lessons in Hope can also be inspiring reading for aspiring young writers.

• City of Saints: A Pilgrimage to John Paul II’s Krakow (Image, 2015), by George Weigel, Carrie Gress, Stephen Weigel

Weigel also co-authored a fine book on Krakow, the city where Karol Wojtyła lived from 1938 until his election to the papacy forty years later. When the pandemic ends and international travel again becomes possible, John Paul II’s Krakow is a great place to visit, and the Weigels and Carrie Gress provides an excellent historical introduction to the place where his vocation matured. We learn about the city’s medieval history and its more recent oppression under Nazi Germany and communist rule.

Weigel introduces the reader to such Krakow saints as Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr; Jadwiga, Queen of Poland; or Albert Chmielowski. We learn about places closely linked to Wojtyła, such as Nowa Huta, the working class neighborhood centrally planned by communists, who unsuccessfully tried to create a district without God, or the quarry where he worked under German occupation, which helped him to develop his teaching on the value of human labor. Trust me; this is a much better guide to Krakow than anything from Lonely Planet or Fodor’s.

• John Paul II: The Biography (Cinisello Balsamo 2011), by Andrea Riccardi

Apart from George Weigel’s trilogy, the best biography of John Paul II I’ve read is by Andrea Riccardi, originally written in Italian, but translated into numerous European languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and French. Unfortunately, English is not one of them. I hope that including this book in this article could interest some publisher in an English translation.

Andrea Riccardi is the founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay Catholic community from Italy that is present throughout the world and is devoted to promoting peace (the community played a key role in the negotiations ended the civil war in Mozambique) and aiding the poor and refugees. He is also a professor of history and a sometime politician.

Apart from standard information about Karol Wojtyła’s youth and formation found in all other biographies, this book contains many prescient analyses of the political impact of many of St. John Paul II’s teachings, actions, and pilgrimages. Many are much less known than the familiar narrative of the 1979 visit to Poland and its role in inspiring the foundation of Solidarity, including John Paul II’s clashing with the Bush administration over the invasion of Iraq, his attitude to the ethnic cleansing in the Balkans in the 1990s, his attempts at mediation in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and many other fascinating stories.

One chapter is brilliantly titled “No to Communism, Not Yes to Capitalism.” In it, Riccardi deconstructs the media caricature of John Paul II as basically the Henry Kissinger of the Vatican. Yes, Riccardi writes, John Paul II knew the philosophical foundations of Marxism-Leninism and himself experienced communist rule firsthand, so he was not naïve about the anthropological lies of communism. However, he had no taste for laissez-faire capitalism, with its greedy materialism and marginalization of the poor, either.

• Why He Is a Saint: The Life and Faith of Pope John Paul II and the Case for Canonization (Rizzoli, 2010), by Sławomir Oder

With the possible exception of George Weigel, arguably no one knows more about John Paul II than Father Sławomir Oder, a Polish priest who served as the postulator for the pope’s cause for canonization. Father Oder spent hundreds of hours speaking to people who knew John Paul II and went through thousands of pages of documents related to his life.

In Why He Is a Saint , Oder shares all he learned about John Paul with his readers. The book also reveals much fascinating information for the first time, such as that during his meeting with Augusto Pinochet behind closed doors Pope St. John Paul II asked him to give democracy a chance. This inspired the Chilean dictator, who considered himself a Catholic, to hold a plebiscite on bringing back civilian rule to his country.

• The Hidden Pope: The Untold Story of a Lifelong Friendship That Changed the Relationship Between Catholics and Jews (Rodale Books, 1998), by Darcy O’Brien

Over the past two millennia, relations between Jews and Christians have often been tense and painful. Although there have been plenty of Catholic friends of the Jews in history, such as St. Augustine or Pope Gregory IX, the tragic truth is that there have been many examples of Christian persecution of Jews across the centuries.

Pope St. John Paul II, however, reminded the world that the Jews are the Christians’ elder brothers in the faith. He repeatedly condemned anti-Semitism, and he became the first pope to make an official visit to a synagogue and to establish diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel.

Darcy O’Brien’s beautiful book tells the story of the lifelong friendship between Karol Wojtyła and Jerzy Kluger, which started in their hometown of Wadowice, Poland, when they were childhood pals. Karol’s visits to Jerzy’s house, including for Seder meals and the lighting of Shabbos candles, were his first direct exposure to Judaism.

During World War II, Kluger took part in the Polish II Corps, an Allied army of Polish gulag prisoners freed by Stalin (after the Germans invaded the USSR, Stalin was desperate for manpower) that played an important role in liberating Italy. Afterwards, Kluger settled in Rome.

After his election as head of the Catholic Church, John Paul II also found himself in Rome, and the two men reignited their friendship. Kluger played a crucial behind-the-scenes role as the pope’s advisor on Jewish matters and his liaison with the Jewish community. The Hidden Pope is a touching story of the power of friendship and how building bridges with people of different faiths can change the world.

• The Thought of the Man Who Became Pope John Paul II (Eerdmans, 1997), by Rocco Buttiglione

The philosophical writing of Karol Wojtyła, a marriage of classic Thomism with twentieth-century phenomenology, is difficult. Before you get discouraged, though, pick up Buttiglione’s book, a great primer and guide on the future pope’s thinking.

Buttiglione is one of Italy’s leading contemporary philosophers, political scientists, and commentators on Catholic matters. He is also a statesman and was the victim of Christophobia and silly political correctness: in 2004, he was nominated to serve as a member of the European Commission, but the European Parliament struck down his candidacy because – oh, the horror! – he believes that marriage is the union of a man and a woman.

Rocco Buttiglione was also a personal friend of St. John Paul II and knows Polish, which allowed him direct access both to the subject of his book and to Polish-language materials that are otherwise impermeable to most other scholars outside Poland. Buttiglione introduces Love and Responsibility , Wojtyła’s philosophical meditation on the ethics of relationships between man and women; his Christian personalist book on ethics The Acting Person ; Karol Wojtyła’s contributions to the Second Vatican Council; and even his poetry. All this is presented within the context of Wojtyła’s philosophical formation and the historical background in which his vocation as a philosopher was formed.

• Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love: Practical Insights from John Paul II’s “Love and Responsibility” (Servant, 2105), by Edward Sri

Of all of Karol Wojtyła’s philosophical works, arguably the one that is most practical in our everyday lives is 1960’s Love and Responsibility . While this book is considered to be relatively easy by Wojtyła standards, it’s still quite a challenging read, especially for non-philosophers like myself. The book deals with the ethical aspects of relationships between men and women and can be insightful in helping to build successful courtship and later marriages based on truly respecting the other person rather than selfishly using others as objects.

Edward Sri has done a fine job of turning a difficult philosophical work into an easy-to-read, quick (I read it in about two hours) read with practical tips on how to build better marriages, romantic relationships, and even friendships with the help of Love and Responsibility . There are chapters addressed specifically to single people and engaged couples. At the end of each chapter, there are discussion question, which makes this a perfect tool for pastors who deal with marriage preparation, marriage counseling, or young adult ministry.

• Nine Days That Changed the World (Citizens United Productions, 2010)

Much has been said about Pope St. John Paul II’s 1979 visit to his native Poland and its impact on the rise of Solidarity, the most massive movement to challenge Soviet hegemony over Eastern Europe, one year later. This whole story has been compressed into a ninety-minute documentary with a beautiful score. I have shown this film or borrowed the DVD to many people – Poles who know this story and well, and Americans who are less familiar with it; Catholics and non-Catholics; elderly people who lived under communism and youths for whom the Cold War is merely a chapter from their high school history textbooks – and without exception all were profoundly moved by it.

The cast of characters is truly impressive. The documentary features interviews with John Paul II’s associates; with Solidarity activists and the two most famous dissidents from behind the Iron Curtain, Lech Wałęsa of Poland and Vaclav Havel of Czechoslovakia; and plenty of insightful commentators like George Weigel or Marcello Pera, an Italian philosopher and politician who personally is an atheist, but has repeatedly defended Europe’s Judeo-Christian roots and the right of unborn humans to life..

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Pope St. John Paul II – Ora pro nobis.

Saint John Paul II: Life & Major Accomplishments

by World History Edu · March 25, 2024

St. John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, was one of the most influential figures in the 20th century, not only within the Catholic Church but also in the global political arena.

His papacy, which spanned from 1978 to 2005, was marked by a series of significant events, teachings, and initiatives that had a profound impact on the Catholic Church and the world at large.

In the article below, WHE delves into his life, highlighting his major accomplishments and the enduring legacy of his pontificate.

Early Life and Priesthood

Karol Wojtyła’s early life was shaped by personal loss and the backdrop of war. By the age of 21, he had lost all immediate family members. These experiences of suffering and loss imbued him with a deep spirituality and a resolve to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

His decision to enter the priesthood was crystallized during the Nazi occupation of Poland when he began clandestine studies at a seminary in Krakow. Ordained in 1946, he quickly distinguished himself through his intellectual abilities, pastoral sensitivity, and linguistic skills.

Image: A photo of Saint John Paul II during his youthful days.

Bishop and Cardinal

Wojtyła was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow in 1958, becoming one of the youngest bishops in the history of the Catholic Church at that time. His episcopal motto, “Totus Tuus” (Totally Yours), reflected his deep Marian devotion.

In 1964, he became the Archbishop of Krakow, and in 1967, Pope Paul VI elevated him to Cardinal. Throughout his episcopacy, he was deeply involved in the pastoral and social issues of his diocese, especially during the turbulent years of the Communist regime in Poland.

He participated in the Second Vatican Council, contributing significantly to the Council’s discussions and documents, particularly those related to religious freedom and the Church’s engagement with the modern world.

Image: A painting of Saint John Paul II by Polish painter Zbigniew Kotyłło.

Karol Wojtyła was elected Pope on October 16, 1978, taking the name John Paul II. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the youngest pope in 132 years. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Catholic Church, was characterized by several key themes and accomplishments:

Evangelization and Travel

John Paul II was a globetrotting pope, visiting 129 countries during his papacy. He used these visits to promote the message of the Gospel, peace, and reconciliation. His trips were often pastoral in nature, aimed at strengthening the faith of Catholics worldwide and fostering dialogue with other religions. Notably, his visit to Poland in 1979 is credited with inspiring the Solidarity movement, which played a crucial role in the eventual collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe.

Theology and Teaching

John Paul II was a prolific writer, contributing significantly to Catholic theology and philosophy. His encyclicals, such as “Redemptoris Missio” on the permanent validity of the Church’s missionary mandate, and “Fides et Ratio” on the relationship between faith and reason, have had a lasting impact on the Church’s understanding of itself and its mission in the world. He also developed the Theology of the Body, a series of talks that provided a profound and revolutionary view on human sexuality, love, and marriage.

9 Greatest Catholic Saints of All Time and Their Accomplishments

Interfaith Dialogue

John Paul II made historic efforts to promote dialogue and understanding between different religions. His meeting with the Chief Rabbi of Rome, his visits to synagogues and mosques, and his Day of Prayer for World Peace in Assisi, which brought together leaders of different faiths, were groundbreaking steps towards bridging divides between religions.

Defense of Human Rights

Throughout his pontificate, John Paul II was a staunch defender of human rights and dignity. He consistently spoke out against political oppression, economic exploitation, and the culture of death, advocating for the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.

His role in the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe is particularly notable, as is his critique of unfettered capitalism and consumerism.

Image: A photo of John Paul II (right) along with Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jaime Sin (left) addressing a crowd at the closing mass of the 10th World Youth Day at Luneta Park, 1995.

Youth Outreach

John Paul II had a special rapport with young people, establishing World Youth Day in 1985. These events, held in different cities around the world, attracted millions of young people, fostering a sense of global Catholic community and invigorating the faith of a new generation.

St. John Paul II’s death on April 2, 2005, marked the end of an era for the Catholic Church. He was canonized a saint on April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis, in recognition of his profound spiritual legacy and his contributions to the Church and the world.

His life and papacy were characterized by a deep love for humanity, a tireless commitment to the Gospel, and a vision of a Church fully engaged with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.

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Biography Online

Biography Pope John Paul II

“Strengthen the bonds that unite us and eliminate all that has divided us in the past.”

– Pope John Paul II

Early Life Karol Wojtyla

Born in Poland, 18th May 1920, Karol Wojtyla was brought up in a turbulent period. As a young man, he lived through the brutal Nazi occupation of Poland. He witnessed many atrocities and on occasions narrowly avoided with his life. It was during the war that he made the decision to train to be a priest; this had to be done clandestinely. During the war, he was also credited with trying to help Jewish friends escape persecution.

The defeat of Nazi Germany saw Poland suffer under a new occupation. Though much less brutal, the Communist state was suspicious of the Catholic church and Karol was frequently bugged by state officials. Nevertheless, the young Pope developed a good reputation. He had intelligence, charisma and inspired many of his young students. His sharp intellect and practical understanding led to his rapid promotion within the Catholic clergy. At the age of 38, he was made the youngest bishop in Poland.

Starting in October 1962, Bishop Wojtyla participated in the groundbreaking – Second Vatican Council which re-evaluated Catholic practises.

Election to Pope

Pope John Paul II (1980)

In 1978 after the death of Pope Paul VI and John Paul I (after only 33 days), Karol was elected pope making him one of the youngest pope’s and the first pope from Poland.

It was rather a surprise for John Paul. He accepted the position with humility

‘With obedience in faith to Christ, my Lord, and with trust in the Mother of Christ and the Church, in spite of great difficulties, I accept.’

Pope John Paul soon put his mark on the papacy. He travelled widely and frequently to over 120 countries. His first visit to Poland in 1978 was a sensation with huge crowds everywhere. It was credited with sparking the solidarity movement of 1980 and providing moral support for those seeking to end Soviet rule.

Pope John Paul and fall of Berlin Wall

“Everything that happened in Eastern Europe in these last few years would have been impossible without the presence of this Pope and without the important role, including the political role, that he played on the world stage.”

Pope John Paul also made a historic visit to South Africa in 1995, he had promised he would not visit South Africa until the system of apartheid was ended. He was met at the airport by Nelson Mandela . Mandela greeted him with the words

“To say your visit is long overdue is to pay tribute to you own abhorrence of the system of apartheid. You delayed your visit to this country because you viewed with disdain a system that treated God’s children as lesser human beings.”

Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa and John Paul were close to each other and full of admiration for their respective services. In 1994, Time magazine asked Mother Teresa for her assessment of John Paul, she replied:

Ever sustained by a profound faith, Nourished by unceasing prayer, Fearless in unshakeable Hope, Deeply in Love with God.”

After Mother Teresa’s death, Pope John Paul II pushed for her canonisation. Pope John Paul made the most number of saints during his papacy. He was key in giving legitimacy to Maria Faustina (a Polish mystic) and Padre Pio (a charismatic Italian mystic)

Pope John Paul II and Other Religions

In particular, his apology for anti-semitic acts in the past encouraged better relationships between Jews and Catholics.

“We are deeply saddened by the behaviour of those who in the course of history have caused these children of yours to suffer, and asking your forgiveness we wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of the Covenant.”

—Pope John Paul II (12 March 2000)

Pope John Paul II and Ronald Reagan.

The pope made over 100 apologies for various misdeeds such as women, Galileo, role in slavery, and the silence of Catholics during the holocaust. Pope John Paul II made an important visit to Greece in 2001. He was the first pope to visit the country in 1,291 years. He met the head of the Church of Greece and offered an apology for past misdeeds of the Catholic Church such as the sack of Constantinople. The two leaders shared a common declaration of supporting Christianity in Europe and avoiding ‘all recourse to violence, proselytism and fanaticism, in the name of religion.’ In the same year, he became the first pope to pray in a mosque (in Damascus, Syria). He kissed the Qu’ran, an act that was appreciated by many Muslims, though he was criticised by more conservative elements within the Catholic Church.

Devotion to Mary

Pope John Paul II had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary. During his papacy, he visited Lourdes and Fatima. In 1981, someone made an assassination attempt, and although shot, the Pope survived. He credited his survival to the intervention of Our Lady of Fatima, noting it happened on the sixtieth anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. He was the first pope to have the Virgin Mary’s initials added to his banner.

The pope later met his assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca, in prison and offered him forgiveness.

Pope on Moral Issues

On moral issues, the Pope was a conservative. He opposed the death penalty, abortion, contraception, female priests and homosexual marriages. He was criticised for his opposition to the use of condoms to fight STD such as AIDS.

He was opposed to the Iraq war in 2003, saying the United Nations should be involved in resolving conflict not unilateral force

“Wars generally do not resolve the problems for which they are fought and therefore… prove ultimately futile.” ”

— Pope John Paul II

Towards the end of his life he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In 2005, his health rapidly deteriorated – suffering from influenza, a urinary tract infection, septic shock and low blood pressure. On 2 April 2005, he said his final words “Allow me to depart to the house of the Father” and he died later in the day, aged 84 years old.

Canonisation

John Paul II was canonised by Pope Francis on 27 April 2014. His ‘feast-day’ is 22 October – to mark the date he was elected Pope.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “ Biography of Pope John Paul II ”, Oxford, UK – www.biographyonline.net . Published 19 May 2013. Last updated 14 February 2018.

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Pope John Paul II

263rd successor to st. peter.

On October 16, 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow, was elected the 263rd successor to Saint Peter and chose the name John Paul II in honor of the late John Paul I. Pope John Paul II was the first ever Slavic pope elected, and at 58-years-old, he was youngest pope in over a century. During his twenty-six-year pontificate, he visited over 129 countries, which included seven visits to the United States. He died on April 2, 2005, beatified in St. Peter's Square on May 1, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI, and canonized on April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis. His feast day is October 22 .  Read his full biography on the  on the Vatican website .

Vatican Website

Quick Facts

May 18: Karol Wojtyla, Jr., is born in Wadowice, Poland.

June 20: He is baptized in the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

April 13: His mother, Emilia Kaczorowska, dies of kidney and heart failure.

December 5: His brother, Edmund, dies of scarlet fever.

Moves to Krakow with father; enters Jagellonian University, joins experimental theater group.

February 18: His father, Karol Wojtyła, Sr., dies.

Enters secret seminary in Krakow.

World War II ends; he resumes studies at Jagellonian University.

November 1: Karol is ordained a priest.

June: He earns a doctorate in theology.

Begins teaching philosophy at Catholic University of Lublin; earns doctorate in philosophy.

September 28: He is ordained auxiliary bishop of Krakow.

Goes to Rome for the first session of the Second Vatican Council.

Ordained Archbishop of Krakow

Makes three trips to Rome to help redraft Vatican II document on church in modern world; attends final council session.

June 26: He is elevated to cardinal.

October 16: He is elected Pope John Paul II.

Visits Dominican Republic and Mexico, his first of 104 trips abroad as pope (January 25); also visits Poland, Ireland, United States and Turkey; publishes first encyclical, apostolic exhortation; convenes first plenary meeting of College of Cardinals in more than 400 years.

Convenes special Dutch synod to straighten out problems in Dutch church; becomes first modern pope to hear confessions in St. Peter's Basilica.

May 13: Pope John Paul II is shot by Turkish terrorist Mehmet Ali Agca. John Paul II is taken to Gemelli Hospital, where he undergoes a six-hour operation.

April 1: He receives credentials of the first British ambassador to the Vatican since Henry VIII, an historic achievement.

May 13: Marks anniversary of attempt on his life with trip to Fatima, Portugal

January 25: He publishes Sacrae Disciplinae Leges, the revised Code of Canon Law.

December 27: Pope John Paul II visits Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who attempted to assassinate him, in prison.

January 10: Full diplomatic relations are established between the Holy See and the United States of America. (Previously, the U.S. had no ambassador to the Vatican and the Holy See had no embassy in America.)

February 18: The New Concordat between the Holy See and the Italian Republic on the revision of the 1929 Lateran Treaty is signed.

Makes historic visit to Rome's synagogue; calls world religious leaders to Assisi to pray for peace

Opens Marian year and writes encyclical on Mary; attends first international World Youth Day in Argentina.

Approves issuance of Holy See's first public financial report; issues encyclical, "On Social Concerns"; issues letter defending women's equality but saying they cannot be ordained priests; sets up Vatican commission to try reconciling followers of schismatic Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

December 1: Official visit of Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev of the U.S.S.R. to the Vatican. This marks the first time a pope met with the head of the Soviet Union.

October 18: John Paul II promulgates the Code of Canon Law for Oriental (Eastern or Byzantine) Churches.

Issues encyclical marking one hundred years of Catholic social teaching; convenes special European synod to deal with rapid changes in the wake of communism's collapse.

December 7: He officially presents the revised Catechism of the Catholic Church to the College of Cardinals.

Writes first papal encyclical on nature of moral theology.

December 30: Signs an agreement that establishes formal diplomatic relations between Israel and the Holy See.

October 24: Autobiography,  Crossing the Threshold of Hope,  is published. 

Names St. Therese of Lisieux a doctor of the church; presides at synod for America, one of a series of regional synods.

Makes historic visit to Cuba; starts first permanent Catholic-Muslim dialogue.

March 1: Approves the beginning of the cause of beatification for Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

December 24: He opens the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, inaugurating Jubilee Year 2000.

Presides at numerous jubilee year events in Rome; makes historic visit to Holy Land

Marks 25th anniversary as pope; beatifies Mother Teresa of Kolkata, one of record number of beatifications and canonizations under his pontificate

Publishes new book, "Memory and Identity: Conversations Between Millenniums"

Encyclicals

Apostolic exhortations, pope john paul ii quotes.

"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." (Homily, October 8, 1995)

– Pope John Paul II

"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." (Homily, November 30, 1986)

"Only in Christ can men and women find answers to the ultimate questions that trouble them. Only in Christ can they fully understand their dignity as persons created and loved by God. Jesus Christ is "the only Son from the Father…full of grace and truth." (World Youth Day, 1993)

"The situation of the world's migrants and refugees seems ever more precarious. Violence sometimes obliges entire populations to leave their homeland to escape repeated atrocities; more frequently, it is poverty and the lack of prospects for development which spur individuals and families to go into exile, to seek ways to survive in distant lands, where it is not easy to find a suitable welcome." (World Migration Day, 1998.)

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." (Homily, November 30, 1986)

"To modern men and women, often dissatisfied with a shallow and ephemeral existence, and in search of authentic happiness and love, Christ offers his own example and issues the invitation to follow Him. He asks those who hear his voice to give their lives for others. This sacrifice is a source of self-fulfillment and joy, as is seen in the eloquent example of those men and women who, leaving all security behind, have not hesitated to risk their lives as missionaries in different parts of the world. It can also be seen in the response of those young people who, prompted by faith, have embraced a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life in order to serve God's plan of salvation." (Holy Father's Message for Lent, 2003)

"It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle." (15th World Youth Day, August 19, 2000)

"Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ." (Homily for the Inauguration of his Pontificate, October 22, 1978)

"God has assigned as a duty to every man the dignity of every woman." (General Audience, November 24, 1982)

"Darkness can only be scattered by light. Hatred can only be conquered by love." (Address to the Diplomatic Corps, January 10, 2002)

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John Paul II's Biography in Beatification Liturgy

A ZENIT DAILY DISPATCH

John Paul II's Biography in Beatification Liturgy

John Paul II Biography in Program of Today's Liturgy

VATICAN CITY, 1 MAY 2011 (ZENIT) In the program distributed in St. Peter's Square for today's Mass of beatification of Pope John Paul II, a short biography of the Polish Pontiff was included. Here is the English version of the text:

Karol Józef Wojtyła, elected to the Papacy on October 16, 1978, was born in Wadowice (Poland) on May 18, 1920.

He was the second of two children born to Karol Wojtyła and Emilia Kaczorowska. His mother died in 1929. His older brother, Edmund, a doctor, died in 1932 followed by his father, an under official of the Armed Forces, who died in 1941.

At the age of nine Karol made his First Holy Communion, followed at the age of eighteen by the sacrament of Confirmation. After having completed high school in Wadowice, he enrolled as a student at the Jagiellonian University of Cracow in 1938.

Following the occupation by the Nazi forces and the University's closure in 1939, the young Karol was forced to earn a living by working in a mine and in the Solvay chemical factory in order to avoid deportation to Germany.

Starting in 1942, after having felt the call to the priesthood, Karol began secretly to frequent courses at the clandestine Major Seminary in Cracow, directed by the Archbishop, Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha. At the same time, he was also one of the promoters of the clandestine "Rhapsodic Theater".

After the war, Karol continued his studies at Cracow's Major Seminary which had been reopened, and then at the Faculty of Theology of the Jagiellonian University until his priestly ordination in Cracow on November 1, 1946. He was then sent to Rome by Cardinal Sapieha where he pursued a Doctorate in Theology (1948), with a thesis on the topic of faith in the works of St. John of the Cross. During that time, in vacation periods, he exercised his pastoral ministry among Polish immigrants in France, Belgium and Holland.

In 1948, he returned to Poland and was at first assistant priest in the parish of Niegowić, near Cracow, and then in the Church of Saint Florian in the same city. As University Chaplain until 1951, he continued to study both Philosophy and Theology. In 1953, he presented a thesis at the Catholic University of Lublin on the "Evaluation of the Possibility of Constructing a Christian Ethic on the Ethical System of Max Scheler". Later, he would become Professor of Moral Theology and Ethics at the Major Seminary of Cracow and at the Theological Faculty of Lublin.

On July 4, 1958, he was nominated by Pope Pius XII as Auxiliary Bishop of Cracow and Titular Bishop of Ombi. He was ordained Bishop on September 28, 1958 in the Cathedral of Wawel (Cracow) by Archbishop Eugeniusz Baziak.

On January 13, 1964, he was nominated as Archbishop of Cracow by Pope Paul VI, who also later made him a Cardinal on June 26, 1967.

Wojtyła also participated in the Second Vatican Council (1962 65), at which he made an important contribution to the preparation of the Constitution Gaudium et Spes. Preceding his Pontificate, Wojtyła would also take part in five assemblies of the Synod of Bishops.

He was elected to the Papacy on October 16, 1978. On October 22nd he began his ministry as Shepherd of the Universal Church.

Pope John Paul II made 146 pastoral visits in Italy and as Bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the 332 parishes in Rome. The apostolic trips made throughout the world, an expression of his constant pastoral solicitude as Successor of St. Peter for the whole Church, added up to a total of 104.

Among the primary documents which he wrote are: 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions and 45 Apostolic Letters. He also wrote numerous other works including five books: "Crossing the Threshold of Hope" (October 1994), "Gift and Mystery: on the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priesthood" (November 1996), "Roman Triptych: Meditations" (March 2003), "Rise, Let us be on our way!" (May 2004), and "Memory and Identity" (February 2005).

Pope John Paul II presided over 147 Beatifications, declaring 1,338 beatified and 51 Canonizations, proclaiming a total of 482 saints. He also officiated in nine Consistories thereby creating 231 (plus 1 "in pectore") Cardinals and presided at six plenary reunions of the College of Cardinals.

Beginning in 1978, he convoked 15 Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops: six Ordinary General Assemblies (1980, 1983, 1987, 1990; 1994 and 2001), one Extraordinary General Assembly (1985) and eight Special Assemblies (1980, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998 [2] and 1999).

On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was the victim of an attack in St. Peter's Square. Having been saved by the maternal hand of the Mother of God, and following a long recovery, he forgave his attacker. Grateful for the gift of new life, he intensified his pastoral work with heroic generosity.

His solicitude as pastor was expressed, moreover, in the erection of numerous dioceses and ecclesiastical circumscriptions, as well as by the promulgation of the Codes of Canon Law for the Latin Catholic and Eastern Catholic Churches. As an encouragement to the People of God, he also inaugurated moments of particular spiritual intensity such as the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year, and the Eucharistic Year as well as the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. He also attracted younger generations by the celebration of World Youth Days.

No other Pope had ever encountered as many people as John Paul II: the number of pilgrims at the Wednesday General Audiences alone (more than 1,160 audiences) came to over 17 million pilgrims, to say nothing of the special audiences and other religious services (the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone saw the arrival of 8 million pilgrims), and the other millions of faithful that he met during apostolic visits in Italy or throughout the world. Numerous government officials were also received in audience: there were 38 official visits and a further 738 audiences or meetings with Heads of State, along with 246 visits with Prime Ministers.

John Paul II died in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 9:37 p.m., on the Vigil of the Sundayin Albis, also commemorated as Divine Mercy Sunday, which he had instituted. On April 8th, John Paul II was buried in the Vatican Grotto following the solemn funeral celebrated in St. Peter's Square.

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History | Today in History: Pope John Paul II is shot and…

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History | Today in History: Pope John Paul II is shot and wounded

Today’s Highlight in History:

On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter’s Square by Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca.

On this date:

In 1607, English colonists arrived by ship at the site of what became the Jamestown settlement in Virginia (the colonists went ashore the next day).

In 1914, heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis was born in Lafayette, Alabama.

In 1917, three shepherd children reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary near Fatima, Portugal; it was the first of six such apparitions that the children claimed to have witnessed.

In 1940, in his first speech as British prime minister, Winston Churchill told Parliament, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

In 1972, 118 people died after fire broke out at the Sennichi Department Store in Osaka, Japan.

In 1973, in tennis’ first so-called “Battle of the Sexes,” Bobby Riggs defeated Margaret Court 6-2, 6-1 in Ramona, California. (Billie Jean King soundly defeated Riggs at the Houston Astrodome in September.)

In 1985, a confrontation between Philadelphia authorities and the radical group MOVE ended as police dropped a bomb onto the group’s row house, igniting a fire that killed 11 people and destroyed 61 homes.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated federal appeals Judge Stephen G. Breyer to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Harry A. Blackmun; Breyer went on to win Senate confirmation.

In 2002, President George W. Bush announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin (POO’-tihn) would sign a treaty to shrink their countries’ nuclear arsenals by two-thirds.

In 2012, Donald “Duck” Dunn, the bassist who helped create the gritty Memphis soul sound at Stax Records in the 1960s as part of the legendary group Booker T. and the MGs, died in Tokyo while on tour at age 70.

In 2016, the Obama administration issued a directive requiring public schools to permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.

In 2018, 69-year-old “Superman” actress Margot Kidder was found dead by a friend near her Montana home in what was later ruled a suicide from a drug and alcohol overdose.

In 2019, Doris Day, the sunny blond film star and singer who appeared in comedic roles opposite Rock Hudson and Cary Grant in the 1950s and 1960s, died at her California home at the age of 97.

In 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ coronavirus stay-at-home order, ruling that his administration had overstepped its authority by extending the order for another month.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Buck Taylor is 86. Actor Harvey Keitel is 85. Author Charles Baxter is 77. Actor Zoe Wanamaker is 76. Actor Franklyn Ajaye is 75. Singer Stevie Wonder is 74. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich is 72. Actor Leslie Winston is 68. Producer-writer Alan Ball is 67. Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman is 63. “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert is 60. Rock musician John Richardson is 60. Actor Tom Verica is 60. Singer Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish) is 58. Actor Susan Floyd is 56. Actor Brian Geraghty is 49. Actor Samantha Morton is 47. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is 47. Former NBA player Mike Bibby is 46. Rock musician Mickey Madden (Maroon 5) is 45. Actor Iwan Rheon is 39. Actor-writer-director Lena Dunham is 38. Actor Robert Pattinson is 38. Actor Candice Accola King is 37. Actor Hunter Parrish is 37. Folk-rock musician Wylie Gelber (Dawes) is 36. NHL defenseman P.K. Subban is 36. Actor Debby Ryan is 31.

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Today in History: May 13, Pope John Paul II is shot and wounded

Today in History

Today is Monday, May 13, the 134th day of 2024. There are 232 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter’s Square by Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca (MEH’-met AH’-lee AH’-juh).

On this date:

In 1607, English colonists arrived by ship at the site of what became the Jamestown settlement in Virginia (the colonists went ashore the next day).

In 1914, heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis was born in Lafayette, Alabama.

In 1917, three shepherd children reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary near Fatima, Portugal; it was the first of six such apparitions that the children claimed to have witnessed.

In 1940, in his first speech as British prime minister, Winston Churchill told Parliament, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

In 1972, 118 people died after fire broke out at the Sennichi Department Store in Osaka, Japan.

In 1973, in tennis’ first so-called “Battle of the Sexes,” Bobby Riggs defeated Margaret Court 6-2, 6-1 in Ramona, California. (Billie Jean King soundly defeated Riggs at the Houston Astrodome in September.)

In 1985, a confrontation between Philadelphia authorities and the radical group MOVE ended as police dropped a bomb onto the group’s row house, igniting a fire that killed 11 people and destroyed 61 homes.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated federal appeals Judge Stephen G. Breyer to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Harry A. Blackmun; Breyer went on to win Senate confirmation.

In 2002, President George W. Bush announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin (POO’-tihn) would sign a treaty to shrink their countries’ nuclear arsenals by two-thirds.

In 2012, Donald “Duck” Dunn, the bassist who helped create the gritty Memphis soul sound at Stax Records in the 1960s as part of the legendary group Booker T. and the MGs, died in Tokyo while on tour at age 70.

In 2016, the Obama administration issued a directive requiring public schools to permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.

In 2018, 69-year-old “Superman” actress Margot Kidder was found dead by a friend near her Montana home in what was later ruled a suicide from a drug and alcohol overdose.

In 2019, Doris Day, the sunny blond film star and singer who appeared in comedic roles opposite Rock Hudson and Cary Grant in the 1950s and 1960s, died at her California home at the age of 97.

In 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ coronavirus stay-at-home order, ruling that his administration had overstepped its authority by extending the order for another month.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Buck Taylor is 86. Actor Harvey Keitel is 85. Author Charles Baxter is 77. Actor Zoe Wanamaker is 76. Actor Franklyn Ajaye is 75. Singer Stevie Wonder is 74. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich is 72. Actor Leslie Winston is 68. Producer-writer Alan Ball is 67. Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman is 63. “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert is 60. Rock musician John Richardson is 60. Actor Tom Verica is 60. Singer Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish) is 58. Actor Susan Floyd is 56. Actor Brian Geraghty is 49. Actor Samantha Morton is 47. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is 47. Former NBA player Mike Bibby is 46. Rock musician Mickey Madden (Maroon 5) is 45. Actor Iwan Rheon is 39. Actor-writer-director Lena Dunham is 38. Actor Robert Pattinson is 38. Actor Candice Accola King is 37. Actor Hunter Parrish is 37. Folk-rock musician Wylie Gelber (Dawes) is 36. NHL defenseman P.K. Subban is 36. Actor Debby Ryan is 31.

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Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II Kindle Edition

• Print length 1056 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publisher HarperCollins e-books
• Publication date October 13, 2009
• File size 71786 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com review.

According to Weigel, the Pope told him that other biographies "try to understand me from outside. But I can only be understood from inside." Unfortunately, Weigel's method for understanding the Pope "from inside" depends on psychological conjecture ("It may help to begin by thinking of Karol Wojtyla as a man who grew up very fast") and is weakened by his extreme eagerness to praise his subject ("the man with arguably the most coherent and comprehensive vision of the human possibility in the world ahead"). More troubling, Weigel does not ask some of the really difficult questions about this Pope--regarding his involvement with sects such as Opus Dei, for example, or the relationship between his innovative "theology of the body" and his conservative stance on homosexuality, or even the vicissitudes of prayer life. Witness To Hope is a valuable book because it reports many facts that others have not reported. But for incisive analysis of this Pope's theological and political significance, or for insight into his spiritual life, readers will have to wait until the principals in his life story are free to speak more frankly with some future biographer. --Michael Joseph Gross

From Publishers Weekly

From booklist, from kirkus reviews.

"A remarkable book. Weigel's biography is likely to remain the standard one-volume reference on John Paul II for many years to come." — Pittsburg Post-Gazette

"A fascinating chronicle. . . sheds light on the history of the twentieth century for everyone." — New York Times Book Review

“Magnificent. A tremendous achievement.” — Washington Post

"It is no mean feat to undertake the momentous task of chronicling the life and witness of a man whose presence has helped to change the course of history. Witness to Hope is a meticulously researched book that is certain to become a benchmark for future inquiries into the life and times of Pope John Paul II." — Los Angeles Times

"Anchored in a careful examination of the Pope's documents, Weigel helps us understand the spiritual and philosophical convictions that drive John Paul forward. This is the great contribution of Witness to Hope ." — National Catholic Reporter

"Weigel's biography is outstanding—positive but not uncritical. [It] will be the definitely work on the Pope. — Buffalo News

"A meticulous chronicle. It is Weigel's gift to be able to interleaf the spiritual and secular aspects of Wojtyla's education so seamlessly that his life in the Church takes on political overtones practically from the beginning. . . . One of the most interesting histories of our time." — Boston Globe

“An indispensable source for all those studying the consequences and impact of this pontificate.” — Il Tempo (Rome)

“The first true biography of the last giant of the century.” — L’Express (Paris)

"Like the man it reflects, the book is complex, and it's engaging. Weigel composes a multilayered story of Karol Wojtyla's life that is accessible to all." — Chicago Daily Herald

"Massive in scope and length, and written with the Pope's cooperation, Weigel's biography is sure to be the definitive work on Pope John Paul II for years to come." — Kirkus Reviews

"By far the best biography of John Paul II. . . . An indispensable reference source for future historians." — Washington Times

"Weigel's book is not only a major piece of scholarship but a cracking good story. Rarely has there been so perfect a marriage of man to job as Karol Wojtyla to the papacy. He was appointed at just the right time, and he has met his obligations superbly. The same may be said for his biographer." — National Review

“A profound analysis of all the important issues.... A marvelous work and a pleasure to read.” — ABC (Madrid)

From the Back Cover

The Definitive Biography of Pope John Paul II

Witness to Hope is the authoritative biography of one of the singular figures -- some might argue the singular figure -- of our time. With unprecedented cooperation from John Paul II and the people who knew and worked with him throughout his life, George Weigel offers a groundbreaking portrait of the Pope as a man, a thinker, and a leader whose religious convictions defined a new approach to world politics -- and changed the course of history. As even his critics concede, John Paul II occupied a unique place on the world stage and put down intellectual markers that no one could ignore or avoid as humanity entered a new millennium fraught with possibility and danger.

The Pope was a man of prodigious energy who played a crucial yet insufficiently explored role in some of the most momentous events of our time, including the collapse of European communism, the quest for peace in the Middle East, and the democratic transformation of Latin America. This updated edition of Witness to Hope explains how this "man from a far country" did all of that, and much more -- and what both his accomplishments and the unfinished business of his pontificate mean for the future of the Church and the world.

About the Author

George Weigel is one of the world's foremost authorities on the Catholic Church and the author of the New York Times bestseller Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II . He is a Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and a consultant on Vatican affairs for NBC News.

From The Washington Post

Product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000FCK6UW
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; Updated edition (October 13, 2009)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2009
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 71786 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 1056 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0062996010
• #13 in Biographies of Catholicism
• #20 in Roman Catholicism (Kindle Store)
• #21 in Christian Papacy

About the author

George weigel.

George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, is a Catholic theologian and one of America’s leading public intellectuals. He holds the William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC.

From 1989 through June 1996, Mr. Weigel was president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where he led a wide-ranging, ecumenical and inter-religious program of research and publication on foreign and domestic policy issues.

Mr. Weigel is perhaps best known for his widely translated and internationally acclaimed two-volume biography of Pope St. John Paul II: the New York Times bestseller, Witness to Hope (1999), and its sequel, The End and the Beginning (2010). In 2017, Weigel published a memoir of the experiences that led to his work as a papal biographer: Lessons in Hope — My Unexpected Life with St. John Paul II.

George Weigel is the author or editor of more than thirty other books, many of which have been translated into other languages. Among the most recent are The Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America, and Politics Without God (2005); Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church (2013); Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches (2013); Letters to a Young Catholic (2015); The Fragility of Order: Catholic Reflections on Turbulent Times (2018); The Next Pope: The Office of Peter and a Church in Mission (2020); and Not Forgotten: Elegies for, and Reminiscences of, a Diverse Cast of Characters, Most of Them Admirable (2021). His essays, op-ed columns, and reviews appear regularly in major opinion journals and newspapers across the United States. A frequent guest on television and radio, he is also Senior Vatican Analyst for NBC News. His weekly column, “The Catholic Difference,” is syndicated to eighty-five newspapers and magazines in seven countries.

Mr. Weigel received a B.A. from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore and an M.A. from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto. He is the recipient of nineteen honorary doctorates in fields including divinity, philosophy, law, and social science, and has been awarded the Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, Poland’s Gloria Artis Gold Medal, and Lithuania’s Diplomacy Star.

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