Pope John Paul II, the third-longest serving pope, passed away on April 2, 2005, at age 84. He had been in rapidly declining health in the last few days of his life and made his last public appearance on March 30, 2005, blessing a crowd of pilgrims at St. Peter’s Square. About six hours before his death, he slipped into a coma and made his final words in Polish, saying, “Let me go to the house of the Father.” His funeral Mass was celebrated on April 8, and he was buried at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Born as Karol Józef Wojtyła in Poland in 1920, John Paul II’s early life was marked by tragedy, losing his mother, brother, and father at a young age. It was his father’s death that led him to consider the priesthood, and he began studying for it during the Nazi occupation of Poland. After the war, he continued his studies and was ordained a priest in 1946. He was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Kraków in 1958 and eventually became the archbishop of Kraków in 1964, before being elevated to the College of Cardinals in 1967.
In 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła was elected as the new pope, taking the papal name John Paul II. As the pope, he made numerous international apostolic journeys and authored various writings. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981 and forgave his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Ağca. John Paul II also beatified St. Faustina Kowalska and declared the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. He was beatified in 2011 and canonized as a saint in 2014.
John Paul II’s funeral saw cries of “Santo subito,” or “Sainthood now,” from mourners, leading to the waiving of the customary five-year waiting period for canonization. Pope Benedict XVI opened his cause for canonization in 2005, and he was officially declared a saint by Pope Francis in 2014, along with Pope John XIII. John Paul II’s life and legacy continue to inspire millions of Catholics worldwide, with his devotion to faith, mercy, and forgiveness remembered fondly.
On April 1, 1945, US forces invaded Okinawa, marking the last major battle of World War II. Pope John Paul II’s death on April 2, 2005, marked the passing of one of the longest-serving popes in history. His brief public appearance before his death and final words in Polish are remembered as poignant moments of his final days. His burial at St. Peter’s Basilica and the outpouring of support and admiration at his funeral reflected the impact he had on the Catholic Church and the world at large.
Pope John Paul II’s journey from a young boy in Poland to the leader of the Catholic Church is marked by resilience in the face of tragedy and a deep commitment to his faith. His canonization as a saint in 2014, along with his predecessor Pope John XIII, was a testament to his enduring influence and spiritual legacy. John Paul II’s devotion to mercy, forgiveness, and spreading the message of Divine Mercy continues to inspire Catholics worldwide, making him a beloved figure in the history of the Church.
