This Week in Christian History: Cathedral Completed, Pope Elected, Holy Site Destroyed
John Paul II Becomes Pope – October 16, 1978
This week marks the anniversary of the election of Polish bishop Karol Józef Wojtyla, who would take the papal name of John Paul II.
Ordained in 1946 and made archbishop of Krakow in 1964, John Paul II became the first non-Italian pope in over four centuries.
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"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," noted Biography.com.
"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."
John Paul would reign until his death in 2005. In 2014, he was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
