Jean-Paul II
Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła [ˈkarɔl ˈjuzɛv vɔjˈtɨwa]; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was elected pope by the second papal conclave of 1978, which was called after Pope John Paul I, who had been elected in August to succeed Pope Paul VI, died after 33 days. Cardinal Wojtyła was elected on the third day of the conclave and adopted the name of his predecessor in tribute to him. John Paul II is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and the rest of Europe.
John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as the right to life, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and a celibate clergy, and although he supported the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he was seen as generally conservative in their interpretation. He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 and canonised 483 people, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. By the time of his death, he had named most of the College of Cardinals, consecrated or co-consecrated many of the world's bishops, and ordained many priests.
John Paul II was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX. Born in Poland, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since the 16th-century Pope Adrian VI. John Paul II's cause for canonisation commenced one month after his death with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. On 19 December 2009, John Paul II was proclaimed venerable by his successor, Benedict XVI, and was beatified on 1 May 2011 (Divine Mercy Sunday) after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints attributed one miracle to his intercession, the healing of a French nun called Marie Simon Pierre from Parkinson's disease. A second miracle was approved on 2 July 2013, and confirmed by Pope Francis two days later. John Paul II was canonised on 27 April 2014 (again Divine Mercy Sunday), together with Pope John XXIII. On 11 September 2014, Pope Francis added these two optional memorials to the worldwide General Roman Calendar of saints. It is traditional to celebrate saints' feast days on the anniversary of their deaths, but that of John Paul II (22 October) is celebrated on the anniversary of his papal inauguration. Posthumously, he has been referred to by some Catholics as "St. John Paul the Great", although the title has no official recognition.
Photos
Films (50)
El Patronato. Histéricas, desviadas, descarriadas
2026 · Himself (archival footage)
A-Bomb Museum
2026 · himself (footage)
A Farewell to Francis
2025 · Self (archive footage)
The Polish Pope: Nation's Farewell
2025 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Favela do Papa
2023 · Self (archive footage)
Sinéad O'Connor: Nothing Compares
2022 · Self (archive footage)
Don Stanislao
2020 · Himself (archive footage)
1979, l'année qui a changé le monde
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Solidarnosc : la chute du mur commence en Pologne
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Tylko nie mów nikomu
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Hesburgh
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Going to Hell
2019 · Self (Archive Footage)
One Step From Holiness
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Le Mystère de Padre Pío
2018 · Himself (archive footage)
John Paul II in Ireland: A Plea for Peace
2018 · Self
Vedete, sono uno di voi
2017 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Hostage to the Devil
2016 · Self (archive footage)
I Trust in You
2016 · Self (archive footage)
Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism
2016 · Self (archive footage)
Panorama - The Secret Letters of Pope John Paul II
2016 · Himself (Archival Footage)
Geheimauftrag Pontifex – Der Vatikan im Kalten Krieg
2015 · Self (archive footage)
Apartament
2015 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Pink Wall
2011 · Self
Jan Paweł II: Szukałem Was...
2011 · Self (archive footage)
Nine Days That Changed The World
2010 · Himself
Banal
2008 · Himself (archive footage)
Being Jacques Chirac
2006 · Self (archive footage)
The Papal Chase
2004 · Self
From Europe Into Europe
2004 · Self (archive footage)
Ut Unum Sint - 40 Years of Ecumenism
2004 · (Archive Footage)
Expectation
2002 · Pope John-Paul II
Naqoyqatsi
2002 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Mighty Spirit
1999 · Self
Our God's Brother
1997 · Theatre Play
"Do not be afraid". The Life and Teachings of Pope John Paul II
1996
New Hyperion or Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood
1992 · Self
Beijoqueiro: Portrait of a Serial Kisser
1992 · Self (archive footage)
Atentado
1990
The Jeweller's Shop
1989 · Theatre Play
Powaqqatsi
1988 · (archive footage)
La libertad remonta el estadio
1987 · Self
Odwagi, ja jestem
1987 · Self
Lulú de noche
1986 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Fatima
1984 · Self
Behind the scenes of fascism
1983 · Self (archive footage)
Credo...
1983 · Papież
Fela Kuti: Music Is the Weapon
1982 · Self
Pielgrzym
1979 · Papież
Papież z Polski
1979 · Papież
Tajemnice Jana Pawła II
· Self (archive footage)
Séries (10)
Turning Point: Le 11 septembre et la guerre contre le terrorisme
2021 · Self (archive footage)
Road to 9/11
2017 · Self (archive footage)
Chile, las imágenes prohibidas
2013 · Self (archive footage)
Catholicism
2012
Mentiras verdaderas
2011 · Self (archive footage)
TV o no TV
2008 · Self (archive footage)
Zero Hour
2004 · Self (Archival Footage)
Testigo ocular
2002 · Self (archive footage)
Padre Pio: Between Heaven and Earth
2000 · Se stesso
Informe especial
1984 · Self (archive footage)