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St. John Paul II
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St. John Paul II: Facts & Related Content

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News •

What is the traditional Sunday blessing that popes deliver in St. Peter’s Square? • May 11, 2025, 4:43 AM ET (AP)
What to know about the conclave to elect the next pope • May 7, 2025, 5:04 PM ET (AP)
Black smoke pours from Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected as conclave opens • May 7, 2025, 5:01 PM ET (AP)
Who are the contenders to be pope? They include a street priest, a missionary and a Lutheran convert • May 6, 2025, 3:47 PM ET (AP)
Ahead of the conclave, Vatican staff vow secrecy under threat of excommunication • May 5, 2025, 5:22 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Karol Józef Wojtyła • Johannes Paulus II
Born May 18, 1920 • Poland
Died April 2, 2005 (aged 84) • Vatican City
Title / Office pope (1978-2005)
Notable Works “Slavorum Apostoli”

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John Paul II
Pope facts
Karol Józef Wojtyła being made a cardinal
John Paul II
John Paul II in New York City
John Paul II and Andy Warhol
The globe-trotting Pope John Paul II
John Paul II at the Western Wall
The Code of Canon Law being signed by Pope John Paul II
The pope and the people
How is a pope elected?
How to become a saint: Canonization explained
Joseph Ratzinger's life before becoming Pope Benedict XVI
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