Beatification of John Paul II
Today in Rome, John Paul II receives one of the highest honors in Catholicism — beatification. His successor, Pope Benedict XVI, will oversee proceedings that are expected to draw pilgrims from all over the world . See why it's unusual.
Birth: John Paul II was born in 1920 in Central Europe
School: He studied philosophy in college until 1939
Priesthood: The future pontiff was ordained as a priest in 1946 and became the youngest bishop in his homeland.
Death: At the time of his death in 2005, he’d held the second longest papal reign in history (how long?).
Many believe Pope John Paul II helped create Poland’s Solidarity Movement in 1980. That movement also sparked a landmark political change.
Pope John Paul II made more official visits to foreign countries than any other pope. He notably visited both Muslim and Jewish places of worship.
In 1981, John Paul II survived an assassination attempt. Though he was critically wounded , he quickly forgave his shooter and later paid him a visit.
World Youth Day
In 1984, the Pope founded an event to bring Catholic youth from around the world to celebrate together . His mobilization of younger members of the faith earned him this nickname.
During his pontificate, John Paul II made a series of formal apologies for past acts of the Catholic Church. He asked the forgiveness of a wide range of groups, including Africans, Jews and women.
n 2000, John Paul II officially instituted The Feast of the Divine Mercy . The day acknowledges the Catholic devotion attributed to a famous nun he canonized.
To be considered for beatification, one miracle must be attributed to an individual after death. John Paul II has been credited with the miraculous cure of a French nun who suffered from a degenerative disorder. Find out how she said she was healed.
