Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland in 1920, was the head of the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the first non-Italian Pope in over 450 years, and the second-longest-serving Pope in history. John Paul II was known for his conservative views on social issues, his support of human rights and social justice, and his opposition to communism. He was ordained a priest in 1946 and became the Archbishop of Krakow in 1964. John Paul II was made a cardinal in 1967 and was elected Pope in 1978. During his papacy, he made numerous visits to countries around the world, including the United States, Cuba, and the Soviet Union. He also played a role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. John Paul II was a prolific writer and published numerous theological and philosophical works throughout his life. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2014.
