Pope John Paul II - Bio, Age, Chinese Zodiac Sign & Timeline
| Born | May 18, 1920 |
|---|---|
| Age | 105 |
| Birthplace | Wadowice, Poland |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus - (see also Pope John Paul II's horoscope and birth chart) |
| Chinese Zodiac | Monkey |
| Generation | Greatest Generation |
| Known For | Serving as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church (1978–2005), being a key figure in ending communism in Central and Eastern Europe, and promoting interfaith dialogue. |
Intro
Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła, was the head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 to 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and was recognized for his efforts to improve the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as his global influence and his pivotal role in ending communism in Central and Eastern Europe.
Early Life & Background
Karol Józef Wojtyła was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. He lost his mother at the age of eight, his brother at twelve, and his father at twenty. Wojtyła studied literature and philosophy at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, but his education was interrupted by the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II, during which he worked in a quarry and a chemical factory.
Career Highlights
- Elected Pope on 16 October 1978, becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than four centuries.
- Played a significant role in the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, particularly in his native Poland.
- Improved relations between the Catholic Church and other religions, including Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
- Canonized as a saint in 2014.
Trivia
- He survived an assassination attempt in St. Peter's Square in 1981.
- He was fluent in multiple languages, including Polish, Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin.
- He traveled to 129 countries during his papacy, making him one of the most traveled world leaders in history.
FAQs
People also ask
Pope John Paul II is 105 years old.
Pope John Paul II was born the 18 May 1920.
Wadowice, Poland.
On His Birth-Day
About May 18th, 1920, in brief:
- Historical events: Karol Józef Wojtyła, who would later become Pope John Paul II, was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland.
- Day of the week: May 18th, 1920 was a Tuesday
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus (in western zodiac), Monkey (in Chinese zodiac)
- Moon Phase:
- #1 US song: Your Eyes Have Told Me So by John McCormack
- Popular movie: Way Down East directed by D.W. Griffith
Check the link for more news and curiosities on May 18th, 1920.