Pope John Paul Ii, One of The Most Remarkable Personalities
by Pope John Paul II was one of the most outstanding personalities of the time, thanks to the efforts to maintain human dignity in the face of what they consider the dangers of modern life and his charisma. The appointment of Karol Wojtyla as Pope in 1978 stunned the Catholic world. No expert has not considered the old bishop of Krakow for 58 years one of the favorites. The opposition to the communist regime in Poland, he earned their respect for the world. But not among members of the "inner circle " of the Vatican and more, all in the last 450 years the popes had been Italian. Throughout his pontificate, became one of the most familiar faces in the world. Odyssey to the Pope has covered over 120 countries and earned international reputation for fighting for freedom. But critics, John Paul II was a conservative – an autocrat whose position against abortion, contraception and women’s rights has affected millions of lives.
The youngest pope of the twentieth century
The youngest pope of the twentieth century, was born Karol Wojtyla near Krakow, Poland, in 1920. In his youth, he excelled in sports, including football and skiing. Also, loved the theater and at one point he seriously considered the possibility of becoming an actor. The Second World War and Nazi occupation was caught on Karol Wojtyla worked as a laborer. He studied theology since 1942 and was forced into hiding in 1944 after a repression of religion. The young man continued his studies after the war and became a priest in 1946. He rose rapidly in the Church hierarchy, and in 1964 was archbishop of Krakow. Three years later he became cardinal. During this period he continued his theological studies and was often seen in Rome, but no more than dozens of other cardinals from distant and obscure dioceses.
1978 was “year of three popes”
1978 was “year of three popes.” Pope Paul VI died at the age of 80 years. His successor, elected in one day and took the name John Paul, in memory of his two predecessors, and died 33 days later. College of Cardinals held back centuries-old ritual of the appointment of a new pope in the Sistine Chapel. After two days of deliberation, Karol Wojtyla became the new successor of St. Peter. Taking its name from John Paul II, the new pope has signaled a new era in Catholicism. He was dynamic and approachable, a recognized leader immediately for most of the world Christian community. First, he traveled extensively. During a visit to Ireland, he called for “men of violence” to return to peace.
Attempt of 1981
But its decision to approach people almost led to his death in May 1981. While the vehicle is in or, in Piazza San Pietro in Rome, he was shot and seriously wounded by a Turkish fanatic. After a long recovery, the pope visited and forgave the man who tried to kill him, Mehmet Ali Agca. In 1982, he visited Britain – one trip to a historic, during which he participated in many ecumenical services with representatives of the Anglican Church, which was unimaginable before. After the Soviet collapse, relations between the Kremlin and the Vatican began to develop. In 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev visited Rome and became the first Soviet leader who entered the Basilica San Pietro. “The pope is the supreme moral authority in the world. But it is, however, Slavic,” said his wife Raisa Gorbachev. The fact that the two leaders have helped understand better, without doubt, the road to democracy of the Soviet bloc. The collapse of communism coincided with Western demands for a compromise on religious teaching. Rejecting these calls repeatedly, John Paul II had effectively closed even before the debate begins.
A complex personality
Pope John Paul II was a complex man, according to BBC. He called for action to combat poverty in the world, while insisting that the methods of contraception are morally unacceptable. He said he wants to improve women’s status, but he wrote that the woman’s natural aspiration to become a mother should be. Benedict repeatedly criticized liberalism that he saw around him. Homosexuals have faced both with wrath, and with mercy, for the minority rights advocates sexual dissatisfaction. Although his health has deteriorated in recent years of life, continued travel – in Cuba, Nigeria, the former Yugoslav republics and in the Holy Land – each destination with its pastoral and specific policy issues. In 2002, the Pope made an emotional and nostalgic last visit to his homeland, flying over his birthplace, Wadowice, and visiting graves and his brother in Krakow. Thousands of Poles gathered to see the one you considered a saint in life and who, from their point of view, played a key role in the release of communism. Pontificate of John Paul II was marked by radical changes in the world – including the development of AIDS. And he had to face a growing number of scandals over sexual abuse by priests, targeting
Liked it
