From Karol to Pope to Saint

During the 27 years of his Pontificate, Pope John Paul II would beatify 1340 holy people, and canonize 483 Saints. He visited 129 countries and travelled 750,000 miles, to reach the millions of people who flocked to see him celebrate Mass, speak to them, or just to get a glimpse of the successor of Peter. He died on April 2, 2005 after 27 years of his Papacy. 

He will certainly always be remembered as the Great John Paul for helping to exterminate Communism in the Soviet Union and bringing peace to his native Poland, and also for supporting Solidarnosc, the Solidarity Movement that brought peace and harmony among his fellow Polish people. He was very devoted to the Blessed Mother, and in fact his motto was Totus Tuus (Totally Yours,) also becoming a beacon for Life—emphasizing the Gospel of Life while attacking the culture of death.  He was beatified on May 1, 2011 and canonized on April 27, 2014. His Liturgical Feast Day is  October 22nd. 

Forgiving his would-be assailant in prison in 1982

These are some of the major Encyclicals he wrote: Redemptor Hominis 1979 - Dives in Misericordia 1980 - Laborem Exercens 1981 - Redemptoris Mater 1987 - Centesimus Annus 1991 - Evangelium Vitae 1995 - Ecclesia de Eucharistia 2003

A scene from the double canonization held earlier today