Famous person in Vatican City -- Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II is the most famous pope around the world.
He was born on 18 May, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland.He was baptized as Karol Jozef Wojtyla. He had an unfortunate childhood, his mother died when he was eight years old. Two years later, he lost his elder brother as well. He was a goalie on a soccer team when he was a teenager.

He moved to Krokow with his father; then he learned 12 languages and participated as a playwright in many theatrical groups. His university closed in 1939 because Nazi Germans ocupied Poland. Therefore, he had to do a low income job for their living. In 1941, Karol's father left him, he became all alone.

After his father's death, he realized his calling for priesthood. Karol made the decision to study in the clandestine underground seminary that was run by the Archbishop of Krakow, Adam Stefan, Cardinal Sepieha.

Karol was sent to Rome to study theology at the Pontificial international Athenaeum Angelica as a priest in November 1946. In 1948, he returned to Poland after obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in sacred theology. His first job was to work as a priest in the village of Niegowic.

In the year of 1954, Karol gained another doctorate in philosophy. Then he published the comtemporary church issues in the Universal Weekly newspaper. In July 1958, Karol was nominated for ther position of bishop of Krakow and then became the youngest bishop in Poland.

After the death of Pope John Paul I, Cardinal Franz Konig the Archbishop of Vienna had suggested Karol as a compromise candidate. Then Karol won the election and became Pope John Paul II. In the history of Rome, he was the youngest Pope to be selected. Pope John Paul II had his Papal inauguration ceremony on October 1978.

Pope John Paul II died in April 2005 because of septic shock and a widespread form of infection. He was given medical treament by a team of doctors at his private residence before his death. He was cremated at St. Peter's Basilica.

In his priesthood, he had served as Pope and Sovereign of the Vatican City for 27years.