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[Last Updated: 2/25/2005]
© Arturo Mari/L'Osservatore Romano

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Apostolic Voyages

Principal documents

Encyclical Letters of John Paul II

Social Encyclicals of the most recent Pontificates

Beatification and Canonizazion Ceremonies

Consistories

Episcopal Ordinations conferred by John Paul II

Baptisms by John Paul II

Synod of Bishops

Audiences and meetings with political figures

General Audiences

World Days

World Days of Fasting for Peace asked by John Paul II

Pontificate of John Paul II - Dedicated Years

Some particular events

Diplomatic Relations of the Holy See

The duration of the Pontificate



Apostolic Voyages

[Updated: 11.01.2005]

 

Totale

  Visits outside Italy (in 129 different nations) [Italian]

104

  Visits in Italy outside Rome and Castelgandolfo [Italian]

146

 Visits to the Diocese and to the City of Rome and to the Municipality of Castelgandolfo [Italian]

748

of which to the Parishes of Rome  (on a total of 333 parishes) (*) (**)

301

  Visits to the Bodies of the Holy See and of Vatican City State [Italian]

54

  Cumulative, global and specified statistics concerning the Apostolic Voyages [English, Italian]


(*) "(...) Dear brothers and sisters of the Parish of St MaríJosefa of the Heart of Jesus! The joy of being with you today is particularly strong. It is the delight of being able to visit the 300th parish community of the beloved Church of Rome. From the beginning of my Pontificate, I have made a priority of exercising the ministry of Bishop of Rome, even by visiting the parish communities of the Diocese.(...)" [Homily of the Holy Father during Holy Mass on the occasion of the Pastoral Visit to the Parish of Santa Maria Josefa del Cuore di Gesù the East sectorof the Diocese of Roma, the 300th visit of John Paul II in the Parish of His Diocese - Sunday 16 December 2001].
(**) Since December 2002, the parishes of Rome meet the Holy Father in the Vatican. To date, 16 parishes have visited the Holy Father, bringing the total of Roman parishes meeting the Pope to 317.

Principal documents

[Updated: 25.02.2005]

Principal Documents

Total
 

 Encyclicals

14

  Apostolic Exhortations

14

  Apostolic Constitutions

11

 Apostolic Letters

45

 Motu Proprio

30

 Planned speeches during Apostolic Voyages (including those in Italy)

3.288
 

Other Documents
 

  Letters

 Messages

 Speeches

Homilies

 Angelus - Regina Coeli

 Speeches Audiences

Ecyclical Letters of John Paul II

[Updated: 17.04.2003]

 

Title

Date of signature

Date of publication

1

Redemptor hominis
Jesus Christ, "the Redeemer of man"

04.03.1979

15.03.1979

2

Dives in misericordia
It is "God, who is rich in mercy" whom Jesus Christ has revealed to us as Father

30.11.1980

02.12.1980

3

Laborem exercens
On Human Work on the ninetieth yearsversary of Rerum novarum

14.09.1981

14.09.1981

4

Slavorum Apostoli
The Apostles of the Slavs, Saints Cyril and Methodius, are remembered with the great work of evangelization after eleven centuries

02.06.1985

02.07.1985
[This is an Epistola Enciclica, not an Encyclical Letter]

5

Dominum et vivificantem
On the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church
and the World

18.05.1986

30.05.1986

6

Redemptoris Mater
On the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the Pilgrim Church

25.03.1987

25.03.1987

7

Sollicitudo rei socialis
The social concern of the Church, directed towards an authentic development of man and society for, the twentieth yearsversary of
"Populorum progressio"

30.12.1987

19.02.1988

8

Redemptoris missio
On the permanent validity of the Church's missionary mandate

07.12.1990

22.01.1991

9

Centesimus annus
On the Centenary of the promulgation of the Encyclical "Rerum novarum"

01.05.1991

02.05.1991

10

Veritatis splendor
Jesus Christ, the true light that enlightens everyone

06.08.1993

05.10.1993

11

Evangelium vitae
The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message

25.03.1995

30.03.1995

12

Ut unum sint
The call for Christian unity

25.05.1995

30.05.1995

13

Fides et ratio
Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth

14.10.1998

15.10.1998

14

Ecclesia de Eucharistia
The Church draws her life from the Eucharist

17.04.2003

17.04.2003

Social Encyclicals of the most recent Pontificates

[Updated: 17.04.2003]

Title

Date of signature

Pontiff

RERUM NOVARUM
on capital and labor

15 May 1891

LEO XIII

QUADRAGESIMO ANNO
on Reconstruction of the Social Order, on the fortieth anniversary of Rerum novarum

15 May 1931

PIO XI

MATER ET MAGISTRA
on Christianity and Social Progress

15 May 1961

JOHN XXIII

PACEM IN TERRIS
on establishing universal peace in truth, justice, charity and liberty

11 April 1963

JOHN XXIII

POPULORUM PROGRESSIO
on the development of peoples

26 March 1967

PAUL VI

OCTOGESIMA ADVENIENS
Apstolic Letter on occasion of the eightieth anniversary of Rerum novarum

14 May 1971

PAUL VI

LABOREM EXCERCENS
on Human Work on the ninetieth anniversary of Rerum novarum

14 September 1981

JOHN PAUL II

SOLLICITUDO REI SOCIALIS
on the twentieth anniversary of Populorum progressio

30 December 1987

JOHN PAUL II

CENTESIMUS ANNUS
on the hundredth anniversary of Rerum novarum

1 May 1991

JOHN PAUL II

Beatification and Canonization Ceremonies

[Updated: 05.01.2005]

Beatifications and Canonizations in the Pontificate of John Paul II
 

Ceremonies

  

Martyrs

Confessors

Total

Beatification Ceremonies

147

  

1.032

306

1.338

Canonization Ceremonies

51

  

402

80

482

Statistics: Ceremonies in Rome - Ceremonies in Italia outside of Rome - Ceremonies outside of Italy during Apostolic Voyages [Italian]

Canonizations starting with the Pontificate of Clement VIII
[On 22 January 1588, with the Apostolic Constitution Immensa aeterni, Pope Sixtus V created the Sacred Congregation of Rites to regulate divine worship and to deal with the causes of saints]

CLEMENT VIII

1592-1605

2

PAUL V

1605-1621

2

GREGORY XV

1621-1623

5

URBAN VIII

1623-1644

2

ALEXANDER VII

1655-1667

2

CLEMENT IX

1667-1669

2

CLEMENT X

1670-1676

5

ALEXANDER VIII

1689-1691

5

CLEMENT IX

1700-1721

4

BENEDICT XIII

1724-1730

10

CLEMENT XII

1730-1740

4

BENEDICT XIV

1740-1758

5

CLEMENT XIII

1758-1769

6

PIUS VII

1800-1823

5

GREGORY XVI

1831-1846

5

PIUS IX

1846-1878

52

LEO XIII

1878-1903

18

PIUS X

1903-1914

4

BENEDICT XV

1914-1922

3

PIUS XI

1922-1939

34

PIUS XII

1939-1958

33

JOHN XXIII

1958-1963

10

PAUL VI

1963-1968

84

SUB-TOTAL

302

JOHN PAUL II

482

Total number of canonizations from 1594 through 2004

784

Consistories

[Updated: 21.10.2003]

 

Cardinals
created

Number of
Consistories

Consistories for creating Cardinals
(Ordinary Consistories)
(*) + 1 "in pectore"

231 (*)

9

Plenary Assemblies of the College of Cardinals
(Extraordinary Consistories)

6

  Specific Statistics on Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]
  Documentation on Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]

Episcopal Ordinations
conferred by John Paul II

[Updated: 09.01.2003]

Number
Ceremony

Date

Site

Number
Ordained Bishops

1

06.01.1979

Vatican Basilica

1

2

27.05.1979

Vatican Basilica

26

3

15.09.1979

Sistine Chapel

1

4

12.11.1979

Sistine Chapel

1

5

06.01.1980

Vatican Basilica

3

6

04.05.1980

Kinshasa - Zaire (Africa)

8

7

06.01.1981

Vatican Basilica

11

8

12.04.1981

Sistine Chapel

1

9

06.01.1982

Vatican Basilica

9

10

06.03.1982

Vatican Basilica

1

11

06.01.1983

Vatican Basilica

14

12

01.11.1983

Sistine Chapel

1

13

06.01.1984

Vatican Basilica

9

14

06.01.1985

Vatican Basilica

7

15

14.09.1985

Cathedral of Albano (Italy)

1

16

06.01.1986

Vatican Basilica

7

17

16.10.1986

Vatican Basilica

1

18

06.01.1987

Vatican Basilica

10

19

17.03.1987

Vatican Basilica

1

20

05.09.1987

Vatican Basilica

3

21

07.11.1987

Vatican Basilica

1

22

06.01.1988

Vatican Basilica

10

23

04.10.1988

Vatican Basilica

1

24

06.01.1989

Vatican Basilica

13

25

20.10.1989

Vatican Basilica

4

26

06.01.1990

Vatican Basilica

12

27

05.04.1990

Vatican Basilica

4

28

06.01.1991

Vatican Basilica

13

29

06.01.1992

Vatican Basilica

11

30

26.04.1992

Vatican Basilica

7

31

17.11.1992

Vatican Basilica

1

32

06.01.1993

Vatican Basilica

11

33

25.04.1993

Scutari (Albania)

4

34

06.01.1994

Vatican Basilica

13

35

06.01.1995

Vatican Basilica

10

36

06.01.1996

Vatican Basilica

14

37

06.01.1997

Vatican Basilica

12

38

06.01.1998

Vatican Basilica

9

39

19.03.1998

Vatican Basilica

3

40

06.01.1999

Vatican Basilica

9

41

06.01.2000

Vatican Basilica

12

42

19.03.2001

Vatican Basilica

9

43

06.01.2002

Vatican Basilica

10

44

06.01.2003

Vatican Basilica

12

TOTAL ORDAINED BISHOPS

 321

Baptisms by John Paul II

[Updated: 11.04.2004]

 

Date

Place

Number of baptized
     

Children*

Adults**

Total

1

14.04.1979

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

11

11

2

11.08.1979

Castel Gandolfo

1

-

1

3

23.09.1979

Pauline Chapel

4

-

4

4

02.02.1980

Pauline Chapel

6

-

6

5

05.04.1980

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

24

24

6

27.04.1980

Private Chapel

1

-

1

7

08.05.1980

Accra (Ghana)

-

10

10

8

11.01.1981

Pauline Chapel

9

-

9

9

26.02.1981

Nagasaki (Japan)

-

77

77

10

18.04.1981

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

20

20

11

10.01.1982

Pauline Chapel

13

-

13

12

13.02.1982

Onitsha (Nigeria)

-

31

31

13

10.04.1982

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

26

26

14

28.05.1982

London (Great Britain)

-

4

4

15

09.01.1983

Sistine Chapel

20

-

20

16

02.04.1983

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

22

22

17

08.01.1984

Vatican Basilica

27

-

27

18

21.04.1984

Easter Vigil, Saint Peters Square

-

29

29

19

04.05.1984

Kwangju (Corea)

-

72

72

20

13.01.1985

Sistine Chapel

31

-

31

21

06.04.1985

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

24

24

22

11.08.1985

Garoua (Camerun)

-

c. 100

c. 100

23

12.01.1986

Sistine Chapel

42

-

42

24

29.03.1986

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

39

39

25

08.05.1986

ForlìItaly)

7

-

7

26

21.06.1986

"Centro Italiano Solidarietàuot; (Italian Solidarity Center), Rome

5

-

5

27

11.01.1987

Hall of Blessings

49

-

49

28

18.04.1987

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

35

35

29

10.01.1988

Hall of Blessings

42

-

42

30

02.04.1988

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

27

27

31

08.01.1989

Hall of Blessings

43

-

43

32

25.03.1989

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

15

15

33

21.05.1989

Nomadelfia (Italy)

1

-

1

34

07.10.1989

Seoul (Korea)

-

12

12

35

07.01.1990

Hall of Blessings

43

-

43

36

14.04.1990

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

19

19

37

13.01.1991

Hall of Blessings

42

-

42

38

30.03.1991

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

26

26

39

12.01.1992

Hall of Blessings

42

-

42

40

18.04.1992

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

29

29

41

02.01.1993

Hall of Blessings

39

-

39

42

10.04.1993

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

32

32

43

05.09.1993

Vilnius (Lituania)

-

10

10

44

09.01.1994

Vatican Basilica

41

-

41

45

02.04.1994

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

27

27

46

08.01.1995

Sistine Chapel

19

-

19

47

15.04.1995

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

12

12

48

07.01.1996

Sistine Chapel

20

-

20

49

17.02.1996

Private Chapel

1

-

1

50

06.04.1996

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

10

10

51

12.01.1997

Sistine Chapel

19

-

19

52

29.03.1997

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

10

10

53

07.07.1997

Private Chapel

1

-

1

54

23.08.1997

Paris (France)

-

10

10

55

11.01.1998

Sistine Chapel

19

-

19

56

11.04.1998

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

9

9

57

10.01.1999

Sistine Chapel

19

-

19

58

03.04.1999

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

8

8

59

09.01.2000

Sistine Chapel

18

-

18

60

22.04.2000

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

8

8

61

07.01.2001

Sistine Chapel

18

-

18

62

14.04.2001

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

6

6

63

13.01.2002

Sistine Chapel

20

-

20

64

30.03.2002

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

2

7

9

65

12.01.2003

Sistine Chapel

22

-

22

66

19.04.2003

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

-

7

7

67

10.04.2004

Easter Vigil, Vatican Basilica

1

6

7
 

TOTAL:

687

814

1.501

* Newborns or babies, who receive only the sacrament of Baptism
** Children and Adults, who receive the sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.

Synod of Bishops

[Updated: 16.10.2001]

 

During Pontificate

Total

Ordinary General Assemblies

6

10

Extraordinary General Assemblies 

1

2

Special Assemblies

7

7

Particular Synods (The Netherlands)

1

1

Total

15

20

  Documentation Synod of Bishops [English, French, Italian, Spanish]

Audiences and Meetings with olitical figures

[Updated: 25.02.2005]

More than 1.600, of which:

Totale

Official visits with Heads of State

38

Other audiences and meetings with Heads of State

738

Audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers

246

General Audiences

[Updated: 25.02.2005]

1.161, with a presence of more than 17.675.800 faithful from every part of the world

Statistical data concerning the presence of the faithful in the Audiences of John Paul II [Italian]

  Speeches [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]

World Days

[Updated: 24.01.2005]

World Youth Day [English, French, Italian, Spanish]
World Day of the Sick [Italian]
World Day for Peace [Italian]
World Day for Migrants and Refugees [English, Italian]
World Meeting of the Family [English, Italian]
World Communications Day [Italian]
Other World Days [English, French, German, Italian, Portughese, Spanish]

World Days of Fasting for Peace
asked by John Paul II

[Updated: 05.05.2003]

Monday 27 October 1986

In Assisi, World Day of Prayer for Peace

Saturday 9 January 1993

In Assisi, on occasion of the special prayer meeting for peace in Europe and particularly in the Balkans
(9-10 January)

Friday 21 January 1994

For peace in Bosnia

Friday 14 December 2001

For a stable peace, based on justice

Ash Wednesday 5 March 2003

For the cause of peace, above all in the Middle East

Pontificate of John Paul II
Dedicated Years

[Updated: 05.01.2005]

Holy Year of the Redemption

25 March 1983 - 22 April 1984

Marian Year

7 June 1987 - 15 August 1988

Year of the Family

26 December 1993 - 30 December 1994

1st Year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, dedicated to Jesus Christ [faith]

1997

2nd Year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, dedicated to the Holy Spirit [hope]

1998

3rd Year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, dedicated to God the Father [charity]

1999

Great Jubilee of the Year 2000

24 December 1999 - 6 January 2001

Year of the Rosary

16 October 2002 - 31 October 2003

Year of the Eucharist

17 October 2004 - 29 October 2005

Some particular events

[Updated: 13.02.2005]

Christmas [Italiano]

Spiritual Exercises [Italiano]

Way of the Cross [Italiano]

Diplomatic Relations of the Holy See

[Updated: 10.01.2005]

Diplomatic Relations of the Holy See [Francese, Inglese, Italiano]

Length of the Pontificates

[Updated: 16.10.2004]

Name of Pontiff

Initial and Last Date of Pontificate

Lengt of Pontificate
[in years]

Length of Pontificate
[in days]
 

1

S. PETER

 30 (?)-64 [o 67]
(?) refers to the uncertainty of the date

34 [o 37] years
of which, according to tradition, the beginning in Antiochia and the last 25 in Rome

  

2

B. PIUS IX

1846-1878 16.06.1846 (election) 21.06.1846 (coronation) 07.02.1878 (dead)

31 years, 7 months and 21 days (from the election) 31 years, 7 months e 16 days (from the coronation)

11.559 days (from the election) 11.554 days (from the coronation)

3

JOHN PAUL II

1978- 16.10.1978 (election) 22.10.1978 (solemn beginning)

26 years (from the election) 25 years, 11 months e 24 days (from the solemn beginning)

9.497 days (from the election) 9.491 days (from the solemn beginning)

[the "surpassing" of the Pontificate of Leo XIII was on 14 March 2004, considering the election date; 9 March 2004 refers to the solemn beginning of the Pontificate]

4

LEO XIII

1878-1903 20.02.1878 (election) 03.03.1878 (coronation) 20.07.1903 (dead)

25 years, 5 months (from the election) 25 years, 4 months e 17 days (from the coronation)

9.280 days (from the election) 9.269 days (from the coronation)

5

PIUS VI

1775-1799 15.02.1775 (election) 22.02.1775 (coronation) 29.08.1799 (dead)

24 years, 6 months e 14 days (from the election) 24 years, 6 months e 7 days (from the coronation)

8.961 days (from the election) 8.954 days (from the coronation)

6

ADRIAN I

772-795 01.02.772 (election) 09.02.772 (enthronization) 25.12.795 (dead)

23 years, 10 months e 24 days (from the election) 23 years, 10 months e 16 days (from the enthronization)

8.728 days (from the election) 8.720 days (from the enthronization)

7

PIUS VII

1800-1823 14.03.1800 (election) 21.03.1800 (coronation) 20.08.1823 (dead)

23 years, 5 months e 6 days (from the election) 23 years e 5 months (from the coronation)

8.559 days (from the election) 8.552 days (from the coronation)

8

ALEXANDER III

1159-1181 07.09.1159 (election) 20.09.1159 (coronation) 30.08.1181 (dead)

21 years, 11 months e 23 days (from the election) 21 years, 11 months e 10 days (from the coronation)

8.028 days (from the election) 8.015 days (from the coronation)

9

S. SILVESTER I

314-335 31.01.314 (election) 31.12.335 (dead)

21 years e 11 months (from the election)

8.004 days (from the election)

10

S. LEO I, Magnus

440-461 29.09.440 (election) 10.11.461 (dead)

21 years, 1 mese e 12 days (from the election)

7.712 days (from the election)

Check out the Latest News on Blessed Pope John Paul II Road to Canonization »

Life of Blessed Pope John Paul II

1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
1920's Early Years
  • Born in Wadowice (Kraków), Poland.
    Born in Wadowice (Kraków), Poland.
    Born in Wadowice (Kraków), Poland.
    May 18, 1920
  • Baptized by the military chaplain P. Franciszek Zak.
    Baptized into Christ and His Church by a Chaplain in the Polish Army, Fr. Franciszek Zak.
    Baptized by the military chaplain P. Franciszek Zak.
    June 20, 1920
  • Attended the elementary school for boys
    Attended the elementary school for boys, and then the prep years of secondary school "Marcin Wadowita" in which during all his classes he achieved the top grades.
    Attended the elementary school for boys
    September 15, 1926
  • His mother dies.
    Death of his mother due to heart and kidney problems.
    His mother dies.
    April 13, 1929
  • First Holy Communion
    First Holy Communion
    First Holy Communion
    October 1, 1929
1930's Early Years
  • Admitted to the State Secondary School for boys, "Marcin Wadowita".
    Admitted to the State Secondary School for boys, "Marcin Wadowita".
    Admitted to the State Secondary School for boys, "Marcin Wadowita".
    June 1, 1930
  • His brother Edmund dies.
    Loss of his childhood occurs with the death of his brother to scarlet fever.
    His brother Edmund dies.
    December 5, 1932
  • Participates in military training exercises at Hermanice.
    Participates in military training exercises at Hermanice.
    Participates in military training exercises at Hermanice.
    September 1, 1935
  • Admitted into the Society of Mary.
    Admitted into the Society of Mary.
    Admitted into the Society of Mary.
    December 14, 1935
  • Receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.
    Receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.
    Receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.
    May 1, 1938
  • Enrolls in the Faculty of Philosophy at Jagellonian University, Kraków.
    Enrolls in the Faculty of Philosophy (course of Polish Philosophy) at Jagellonian University, Kraków.
    Enrolls in the Faculty of Philosophy at Jagellonian University, Kraków.
    June 22, 1938
  • He and his father move to Kraków
    Young Karol and his father move to Kraków (Via Tyniecka 10).
    He and his father move to Kraków
    August 1, 1938
  • University military training
    University military training camp at Ozomla, near Sadowa Wiszna for Polish and Ukraine students.
    University military training
    July 1, 1939
  • Second World War begins.
    Second World War begins.
    Second World War begins.
    September 1, 1939
  • Registers for the second year university courses in Literature and Philosophy.
    Registers for the second year university courses in Literature and Philosophy.
    Registers for the second year university courses in Literature and Philosophy.
    November 2, 1939
1940's Priesthood
  • His father dies.
    His father dies.
    His father dies.
    February 18, 1941
  • Escaped Gestapo round by hiding in his uncle's basement.
    Escaped Gestapo round by hiding in his uncle's basement.
    Escaped Gestapo round by hiding in his uncle's basement.
    August 6, 1944
  • The Russian Armed Forces free Kraków from Nazi occupation.
    The Russian Armed Forces free Kraków from Nazi occupation.
    The Russian Armed Forces free Kraków from Nazi occupation.
    January 18, 1945
  • Ordained a priest.
    Ordained a priest. As on the preceding occasions, he received Holy Orders from the hands of Archbishop Metropolitan Adam Sapieha in his private chapel.
    Ordained a priest.
    November 1, 1946
  • Celebrates his first Mass in the crypt of St. Leonard at Wavel.
    Celebrates his first Mass in the crypt of St. Leonard at Wavel.
    Celebrates his first Mass in the crypt of St. Leonard at Wavel.
    November 2, 1946
  • Leaves Poland to begin studies in Rome.
    Leaves Poland to begin studies in Rome.
    Leaves Poland to begin studies in Rome.
    November 15, 1946
  • Earns a master's degree in theology at the Jagellonian University in Kraków
    Earns a master's degree in theology at the Jagellonian University in Kraków (1942-1946). Earns a doctorate in sacred theology in the Faculty of Theology at the Jagellonian University with highest marks.
    Earns a master's degree in theology at the Jagellonian University in Kraków
    December 16, 1948
  • Recalled to Kraków to be assistant pastor at St. Florian's.
    Recalled to Kraków to be assistant pastor at St. Florian's.
    Recalled to Kraków to be assistant pastor at St. Florian's.
    August 5, 1949
1950's Priesthood
  • Archbishop Baziak puts him on leave
    Archbishop Baziak puts him on leave (until 1953) to complete his qualifying exams for a university position. Up until now he served as a chaplain to the university students (in St. Florian's) and for health workers.
    Archbishop Baziak puts him on leave
    September 1, 1951
  • Gives course in Catholic social ethics for Jagellonian University students
    Gives a course in Catholic social ethics for the students of fourth year theology at the Jagellonian University.
    Gives course in Catholic social ethics for Jagellonian University students
    October 1, 1953
  • Completes qualifying exams with thesis on the "ethical system of Max Scheler".
    Completes his qualifying exams by presenting his thesis on the "ethical system of Max Scheler".
    Completes qualifying exams with thesis on the "ethical system of Max Scheler".
    December 1, 1953
  • Faculty of Theology at the Jagellonian University abolished,
    Faculty of Theology at the Jagellonian University abolished, this faculty is then organized at the Seminary of Kraków where he continues his studies. Catholic University of Lublin offers him a non-tenured professorship which he accepts.
    Faculty of Theology at the Jagellonian University abolished,
    January 1, 1954
  • Appointed to the Chair of Ethics at the Catholic University of Lublin.
    Appointed to the Chair of Ethics at the Catholic University of Lublin.
    Appointed to the Chair of Ethics at the Catholic University of Lublin.
    December 1, 1956
  • The Central Qualifying Committee approves his appointment as free docent.
    The Central Qualifying Committee approves his appointment as free docent.
    The Central Qualifying Committee approves his appointment as free docent.
    November 15, 1957
  • Appointed Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Baziak of Kraków.
    Appointed Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Mons. Eugeniusz Baziak of Kraków.
    Appointed Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Baziak of Kraków.
    July 4, 1958
  • Ordained Bishop in the Cathedral of Wavel.
    Ordained Bishop in the Cathedral of Wavel.
    Ordained Bishop in the Cathedral of Wavel.
    September 28, 1958
1960's Priesthood
  • After the death of Archbishop Baziak, named Vicar Capitular.
    After the death of Archbishop Baziak, named Vicar Capitular.
    After the death of Archbishop Baziak, named Vicar Capitular.
    July 16, 1962
  • Participates in the II Session of the Second Vatican Council.
    Participates in the II Session of the Second Vatican Council.
    Participates in the II Session of the Second Vatican Council.
    October 6, 1963
  • Designated Metropolitan Bishop of Kraków.
    Designated Metropolitan Bishop of Kraków.
    Designated Metropolitan Bishop of Kraków.
    December 30, 1963
  • Archbishop Wojtyla is made President of Apostolate of the Laity
    Episcopal Commission for the Apostolate of the Laity is established; Archbishop Wojtyla is made President.
    Archbishop Wojtyla is made President of Apostolate of the Laity
    December 29, 1966
  • Karol Wojtyla named Cardinal elect
    Paul VI announces the next Consistory. Among the names of the new Cardinals elect is that of Karol Wojtyla.
    Karol Wojtyla named Cardinal elect
    May 29, 1967
  • Consecrated Cardinal in the Sistine Chapel, by Pope Paul VI
    Consecrated Cardinal in the Sistine Chapel, by Pope Paul VI - titular S. Cesareo in Palatio.
    Consecrated Cardinal in the Sistine Chapel, by Pope Paul VI
    June 26, 1967
  • Takes possession of the titular Church, S. Cesareo in Palatio, Rome.
    Takes possession of the titular Church, S. Cesareo in Palatio, Rome.
    Takes possession of the titular Church, S. Cesareo in Palatio, Rome.
    February 18, 1968
  • Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference
    Approval of the statutes of the Episcopal Conference; Cardinal Wojtyla is Vice-President of the Conference.
    Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference
    March 15, 1969
  • The Polish Theological Society publishes "The Acting Person"
    The Polish Theological Society (PTT) of Krakow publishes "The Acting Person" (Osoba i cyzn).
    The Polish Theological Society publishes "The Acting Person"
    December 1, 1969
1970's Priesthood / Pope
  • Is elected to the Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
    Is elected to the Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
    Is elected to the Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
    October 5, 1971
  • Card. Wojtyla presides over the Polish delegation
    Card. Wojtyla presides over the Polish delegation at the international conference in Rome for the preparations of the new Apostolic Constitution for Ecclesiastical Studies.
    Card. Wojtyla presides over the Polish delegation
    November 22, 1976
  • Receives a doctorate "honoris causa" from Johannes Guttenberg University
    Receives a doctorate "honoris causa" from Johannes Guttenberg University, Mainz.
    Receives a doctorate "honoris causa" from Johannes Guttenberg University
    June 23, 1977
  • Present at the funeral of Paul VI.
    Present at the funeral of Paul VI.
    Present at the funeral of Paul VI.
    August 11, 1978
  • John Paul I is elected Pope
    John Paul I (Albino Luciani) is elected Pope.
    John Paul I is elected Pope
    August 26, 1978
  • Funeral of Pope John Paul I
    Leaves for the funeral of Pope John Paul I.
    Funeral of Pope John Paul I
    October 3, 1978
  • Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected 264th Pope at approximately 5:15 p.m
    Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected 264th Pope at approximately 5:15 p.m. He is the 263rd Successor of Peter.
    Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected 264th Pope at approximately 5:15 p.m
    October 16, 1978
  • Takes first trip abroad
    Takes first trip abroad, to Dominican Republic, Mexico and the Bahamas.
    Takes first trip abroad
    January 25, 1979
  • Pope says Mass at the site of the Birkenau concentration camp, Auschwitz
    The pope says Mass at the site of the Birkenau concentration camp, the largest of 36 camps in a complex known collectively as Auschwitz.
    Pope says Mass at the site of the Birkenau concentration camp, Auschwitz
    June 7, 1979
  • John Paul II visits the United States for the first time as pope.
    John Paul II visits the United States for the first time as pope and addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
    John Paul II visits the United States for the first time as pope.
    September 29, 1979
1980's Pope
  • Pope is shot in the abdomen by a young Turk named Mehmet Ali Agca.
    Pope John Paul II is shot in the abdomen and hand in St. Peter's Square and seriously wounded. Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turk, is arrested. The pope spends 22 days in a hospital.
    Pope is shot in the abdomen by a young Turk named Mehmet Ali Agca.
    May 13, 1981
  • Spanish priest lunges at the pope with a bayonet in Fatima, Portugal
    A Spanish priest lunges at the pope with a bayonet during the first day of a papal trip to Fatima, Portugal. John Paul is unhurt.
    Spanish priest lunges at the pope with a bayonet in Fatima, Portugal
    May 12, 1982
  • Calls for the heads of government to end to the arms race
    Calls for the heads of government of the United States and the Soviet Union to negotiate an end to the arms race.
    Calls for the heads of government to end to the arms race
    September 29, 1983
  • Meets with and forgives his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca
    The pope meets with and forgives his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca, in prison in Rome.
    Meets with and forgives his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca
    December 27, 1983
  • The United States and the Vatican establish full diplomatic relations.
    The United States and the Vatican establish full diplomatic relations.
    The United States and the Vatican establish full diplomatic relations.
    January 10, 1984
  • Historic visit to Rome's main synagogue
    John Paul II prays at Rome's main synagogue, the first ever recorded visit of a pope to a synagogue.
    Historic visit to Rome's main synagogue
    April 13, 1986
  • Official visit of U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
    Official visit of U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
    Official visit of U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
    June 6, 1987
  • Official visit of U.S. President George H.W. Bush.
    Official visit of U.S. President George H.W. Bush.
    Official visit of U.S. President George H.W. Bush.
    May 27, 1989
  • Receives Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at the Vatican
    Receives Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at the Vatican in the first ever meeting between a pope and a Kremlin chief.
    Receives Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev at the Vatican
    December 1, 1989
1990's Pope
  • Issues first encyclical on social issues.
    Issues first encyclical on social issues since the fall of communism in Europe, giving qualified approval to capitalism but warning rich against taking advantage of poor.
    Issues first encyclical on social issues.
    May 1, 1991
  • Agreement signed establishing formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Vatican.
    Agreement signed establishing formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Vatican.

    Agreement signed establishing formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Vatican.
    December 30, 1993
  • John Paul II reaffirms the church's opposition to female priests
    John Paul II reaffirms the church's opposition to female priests in a letter to bishops, writing that the church "has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the church's faithful."
    John Paul II reaffirms the church's opposition to female priests
    May 30, 1994
  • Publishes his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope.
    Publishes his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope.
    Publishes his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope.
    October 20, 1994
  • Issues encyclical "Gospel of Life," and condemns spreading "culture of death"
    Issues encyclical "Gospel of Life," and condemns spreading "culture of death," including abortion, euthanasia, experimentation on human embryos. The statement comes in the 11th encyclical -- a special letter reserved for matters of extreme importance to the church -- of John Paul's papacy.
    Issues encyclical "Gospel of Life," and condemns spreading "culture of death"
    March 25, 1995
  • Meets with Cuban President Fidel Castro.
    Meets with Cuban President Fidel Castro.
    Meets with Cuban President Fidel Castro.
    November 19, 1996
  • Vatican issues We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah, or Holocaust
    Vatican issues We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah, or Holocaust, expressing remorse for the cowardice of some Christians during World War II but defending the actions of wartime Pope Pius XII.
    Vatican issues We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah, or Holocaust
    March 16, 1998
  • Celebrates 20th anniversary as pope, asking for prayers to fulfill his mission
    Celebrates 20th anniversary as pope, asking for prayers to fulfill his mission "until the end."
    Celebrates 20th anniversary as pope, asking for prayers to fulfill his mission
    October 18, 1998
  • Gives permission to start the cause of beatification for Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
    Gives permission to start the cause of beatification for Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
    Gives permission to start the cause of beatification for Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
    March 1, 1999
2000's Pope
  • Mehmet Ali Agca is granted clemency & extradited to Turkey
    Mehmet Ali Agca, who attempted to assassinate John Paul II in 1981, is granted clemency by Italian President Carlo Ciampi, and extradited to his native Turkey.
    Mehmet Ali Agca is granted clemency & extradited to Turkey
    June 13, 2000
  • Receives U.S. President George W. Bush.
    Receives U.S. President George W. Bush.
    Receives U.S. President George W. Bush.
    May 28, 2002
  • A top Vatican official confirms pope has Parkinson's disease.
    A top Vatican official publicly acknowledges for the first time what observers have suspected for a decade -- that John Paul II suffers from Parkinson's disease. The pope had long showed signs of Parkingson's, including slurred speech and trembling.
    A top Vatican official confirms pope has Parkinson's disease.
    May 17, 2003
  • U.S. President George W. Bush awards pontiff the Medal of Freedom.
    U.S. President George W. Bush awards pontiff the Medal of Freedom.
    U.S. President George W. Bush awards pontiff the Medal of Freedom.
    June 4, 2004
  • The pope breathes heavily and gasps during an open-air Mass in Lourdes, France
    The pope breathes heavily and gasps during an open-air Mass in Lourdes, France, during one of just two foreign trips during the year.
    The pope breathes heavily and gasps during an open-air Mass in Lourdes, France
    August 15, 2004
  • Rushed to a hospital in Rome with flu and difficulties breathing.
    Rushed to a hospital in Rome with flu and difficulties breathing.
    Rushed to a hospital in Rome with flu and difficulties breathing.
    February 1, 2005
  • Returns to hospital after a relapse of the flu; undergoes a tracheotomy
    Returns to hospital after a relapse of the flu; undergoes a tracheotomy to ease his breathing.
    Returns to hospital after a relapse of the flu; undergoes a tracheotomy
    February 24, 2005
  • Vatican announces John Paul II has a high fever as a result of urinary tract infection
    The Vatican announces that John Paul II has a high fever as a result of a urinary tract infection. He later suffers septic shock, meaning that bacteria had spread from his urinary tract to his blood, poisoning his blood stream and causing his blood vessels to collapse. The pope receives the sacrament for the sick and dying, formerly known as the last rites.
    Vatican announces John Paul II has a high fever as a result of urinary tract infection
    March 31, 2005
  • Pope John Paul II dies at 84.
    Pope John Paul II dies at 9:37 p.m. of septic shock and cardio-circulatory collapse. He was 84.
    Pope John Paul II dies at 84.
    April 2, 2005