One Year After
On April 2nd 2005, the world lost one of the grandest leaders in history, Karol Wojtyla, better known as Pope John Paul II.A year after his passing the world prepares to commemorate the life of one of the most influential personages of the XX century.
A man of multiple talents, actor, athlete, play writer, miner, messenger, just to mention some; during his lifetime, he was able to learn a dozen languages, he could read in Greek and Hebrew. Yet, his best known talent could probably be that of a great communicator.
His childhood was marked by the death of his mother when he was only 9, and by the support from his father for him to study. As a child he had an extensive exposure and understanding with the Jewish community in his native Wadowice, in southern Poland.
With the outbreak of World War II, he had to bear the hostilities of Nazis and overcome the death of many of his Jewish friends from childhood. He managed to enter an underground seminar, so he was ordained a priest on November 1st 1946. Later he was awarded a doctorate in sacred theology in 1948; subsequently he earned a second doctorate in 1957, in philosophy.
At age 38, Karol Wojtyla was the youngest bishop in Poland, when he was named titular bishop of Ombi and apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Krakow by Pope Pius XII. 4 years later he was appointed Archbishop of Krakow.
Karol Wojtyla succeeded Pope John Paul I, and his pontificate was the second longest in history. He reigned as pope from October 16, 1978 until his death last year. During his almost 27-year papacy he visited over 100 nations, reaching far more people than any of his predecessors.
A man of strong beliefs, he helped in shaping the world as we know it today. He attested a firm opposition to abortion, homosexuality, contraception, capital punishment, and warfare; and his concern for the poor, the weak and those who suffer, along with his support of world debt forgiveness and his natural charisma made him one of the most respected and loved persons in recent years.
Without a doubt, the world is different before and after John Paul II, and even though some opposed to his strong stances in certain matters, this one man demonstrated that there’s still hope for the world when power is set upon the right person, who is not afraid to stand and speak for those who are in need.
