SOCIETAS DOCTRINÆ CHRISTIANÆ † The word of God was made flesh

His Holiness Pope John Paul II His life His legacy

A MAN FROM A FAR COUNTRY Born in 1920 at Wadowice, near Krakow, Poland

Poland of Karol’s time

FAMILY  Mother – Emily  Father – Karol  Named Karol  One older brother Edmund

Childhood  Attended the elementary school.  Lost mother at age 9  Lost brother in 1932  Attended “Marcin Wadowita” secondary school

Early life  Keen on Sports  Football and Skiing  Avid theatre lover  Considered becoming an actor

Worker  Earns a living and avoids deportation and imprisonment, as a stone cutter in quarry at Zakrzówek, Kraków.  Transferred to Solvay chemical plant

Studies and formation  Enrolls in the Faculty of Philosophy (course of Polish Philosophy) at Jagellonian University, Kraków.  Studied Theology, partly in hiding during Nazi occupation during World War II.  Ordained a priest at 26 in 1946.

Karol woytla the priest  assistant pastor at St. Florian's parish, Krakow.  Chaplain to the university students(in St. Florian's) and for health workers.  Appointed to the Chair of Ethics at the Catholic University of Lublin.

Karol woJtyla the bishop  Ordained Bishop in the Cathedral of Wavel.  Appointed as Archbishop of Krakow  Appointed Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in Rome  Takes part in many synods and conferences, gives lectures, pastoral visits to several countries.

A man from a far country  Chosen to be Pope in October 1978 following the death of John Paul I.  Took name John Paul II

First impact  His first message remained constantly clear ‘Do not be afraid…Open your hearts wide to Jesus’  Chose Mary as the guardian of his pontificate: ‘TOTUS TUUS’

LEADING THE CHURCH  Taking and looking for opportunities to preach the Gospel and explain the Church’s teaching on any topic.  Liturgies on many special occasions.  Weekly audiences on Wednesdays.  Writings  Travelling

jOURNEYS  In January 1979 John Paul made his first journey as pope.  During his papacy he made 102 journeys and visited 129 countries

WRITINGS  Wrote his first Encyclical letter ‘Redemptor Hominis’.  John Paul published:  14 Encyclicals  Apostolic letters  Books

A HITMAN FORGIVEN  3 bullets fired by Turk Mehmed Ali Agca hit the Holy Father from close range. (13 May 1981)  Pope is severely injured but following intense and immediate hospital treatment he survives.  Forgives hitman and later visits him in prison.

A man of unity  Worked hard for Ecumenism and good relations between peoples of different Faiths.  Visited Synagogue in Rome. Invited 60 representatives of other faiths to Assisi for a World Day of prayer for peace.  2000 – Visited Wailing wall in Jerusalem.  2001 – Visited Mosque in Syria.

ILL HEALTH  John Paul’s last years were marked by increasing health problems.  Tumour removed (1992)  Dislocated Shoulder (1993)  Broken femur (1994)  Appendix removed (1996)  Parkinson’s disease for several years

LAST DAYS  Early in 2005 the pope suffers from serious breathing problems and flu and is admitted to hospital twice.  Passed away on 2 nd April 2005 aged 84 years.  Third-longest serving pope in Church history.

FAREWELL  The world mourned Pope John Paul.  Millions paid him respects by visiting him laying in state in St Peter’s Basilica.  Funeral: 8 th April 2005

HIS LEGACY  Proclaim the Gospel by any means  Dignity of the Human Being  Devotion to Our Lady  Faith in young people  A suffering servant  Work towards unity

Prayer O God You reward people who do good. Make that your servant John Paul whom you chose as the leader of your Church on earth may enter and rejoice for ever with you and the saints in heaven.

SOCIETAS DOCTRINÆ CHRISTIANÆ † The word of God was made flesh