biography
| name: |
John Paul II
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originally Karol Jozef Wojtyła
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1920– )
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| biography:
| Pope (1978– ), born in Wadowice, S Poland, the first non-Italian pope in 450 years. He studied in Poland, was ordained in 1946, and became professor of moral theology at Lublin and Kraków. Archbishop and Metropolitan of Kraków (1964–78), he was created cardinal in 1967. Noted for his energy and analytical ability, his pontificate has seen many foreign visits, in which he has preached to huge audiences. In 1981 he survived an assassination attempt, when he was shot in St Peter's square by a Turkish national, Mehmet Ali Agca, the motives for which have remained unclear. A champion of economic justice and an outspoken defender of the Church in Communist countries, he has been uncompromising on moral issues. |
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