About

Known credits:
42
Birthday:
1920-05-18
Place of birth:
Wadowice, Poland
Website:
N/A

Pope John Paul II

Overview

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.

Known for

Acting

2025 The Polish Pope: Nation's Farewell Actor Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 58
Average
2023 Favela do Papa Actor Self N/A
N/A
2022 Nothing Compares Actor Self (archive footage) 60
Fair
2020 Don Stanislao Actor Himself (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2019 1979: Big Bang of the Present Actor Self (archive footage) 58
Average
2019 Solidarność: How Solidarity Changed Europe Actor Self (archive footage) 58
Average
2019 Tell No One Actor Self (archive footage) 59
Average
2019 Hesburgh Actor Self (archive footage) 58
Average
2019 One Step From Holiness Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2018 The Mystery of Padre Pio Actor Himself (archive footage) 60
Fair
2018 John Paul II in Ireland: A Plea for Peace Actor Self N/A
N/A
2017 Vedete, sono uno di voi Actor Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 59
Average
2016 Hostage to the Devil Actor Self (archive footage) 58
Average
2016 I Trust in You Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2016 Panorama - The Secret Letters of Pope John Paul II Actor Himself (Archival Footage) N/A
N/A
2015 Geheimauftrag Pontifex – Der Vatikan im Kalten Krieg Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2015 Apartament Actor Self (archive footage) 58
Average
2011 The Pink Wall Actor Self N/A
N/A
2011 Jan Paweł II: Szukałem Was... Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2010 Nine Days That Changed The World Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2008 Banal Actor Himself (archive footage) N/A
N/A
2006 Being Jacques Chirac Actor Self (archive footage) 58
Average
2004 The Papal Chase Actor Self 58
Average
2002 Expectation Actor Pope John-Paul II N/A
N/A
2002 Naqoyqatsi Actor Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 59
Average
2000 Padre Pio: Between Heaven and Earth Actor Se stesso 68
Fair
1996 "Do not be afraid". The Life and Teachings of Pope John Paul II Actor 58
Average
1992 Beijoqueiro: Portrait of a Serial Kisser Actor 59
Average
1992 New Hyperion or Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood Actor Self N/A
N/A
1990 Atentado Actor 59
Average
1988 Powaqqatsi Actor (archive footage) 62
Fair
1987 La libertad remonta el estadio Actor Self N/A
N/A
1987 Odwagi, ja jestem Actor Self N/A
N/A
1986 Lulú de noche Actor Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 58
Average
1984 Fatima Actor Himself N/A
N/A
1983 Credo... Actor Papież N/A
N/A
1982 Fela Kuti: Music Is the Weapon Actor Self 58
Average
1979 Pielgrzym Actor Papież N/A
N/A
1979 Papież z Polski Actor Papież N/A
N/A
Tajemnice Jana Pawła II Actor Self (archive footage) N/A
N/A

Writing

1997 Our God's Brother Writing Theatre Play 58
Average
1989 The Jeweller's Shop Writing Theatre Play 58
Average