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Karol Wojtyla's Birth
Karol Wojtyla is born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland to his parents Karol Wojtyla (1879-1941) and Emilia Kaczorowska (1884-1929). -
Wojtyla's Ordination
At the age of 26, Karol Wojtyla was ordained to the priesthood on November 1, 1946 on All Saints' Day. -
Fr. Wojtyla Is Consecrated A Bishop
Father Wojtyla is consecrated as the Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow on September 28, 1958. At the age of 38 years old, Wojtyla is the youngest Bishop in Poland. -
Bishop Wojtyla is Installed as the Archbishop of Krakow
After the death of Archbishop Baziak in 1962, Bishop Wojtyla is appointed Vicar Capitular until the new Archbishop is installed. His name is propsed by Cardinal Wyszynski to become the new Archbishop of Krakow. It is on March 8, 1964 that Karol is officially installed. -
Archbishop Wojtyla becomes a Cardinal
Archbishop Wojtyla is created a Cardinal on May 29, 1967 by Pope Paul VI. As a Cardinal, Karol Wojtyla becomes a member of the Sacred College and the secretary of the Synod of Bishops in Rome. He will also serve on three Congregations of the Vatican, which means he will travel across Rome. -
Cardinal Wojtyla Becomes Pope John Paul II
On August 6 of 1978, Pope Paul VI dies. Pope John Paul I is quickly elected as his successor. The new Pope is found dead after 33 days as Pope. Cardinal Wojtyla is elected as the 264th Pope-the first non-Italian Pope since Adrian VI who was from the Netherlands, and also the first Polish Pope in history. -
Assasination Attempt of Pope John Paul II
On May 13, 1981 Pope John Paul II rides in the Popemobile in St. Peter's Square on his way to adress an audience when he is shot by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca. He looses almost three quarters of his blood. After his recovery, Pope John Paul II has a privite conversation with Mehmet and forgives him. -
The Death of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005 at the age of 84 years old and having the second longest papacy in history next to Pope Pius IX.