Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła)

Pope John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyła in Poland in 1920, served as pope from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and played a significant role in the Catholic Church's modern approach. Known for his efforts to improve interfaith relations, he was a key figure in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, promoting human rights and dignity. His papacy emphasized the importance of youth, family, and social justice, and he was canonized as a saint in 2014. He remains influential in shaping contemporary Catholicism.