Karol Jozef Wotjtyla was born in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. AS archbishop of Krakow, he took part in the Second Vatican Council. On October 16, 1978, he was elected pope and took the name John Paul II. His exception apostolic zeal, particularly for families, young people, and the sick , let him to make numerous pastoral visits throughout the world. He departed peacefully in the Lord on 2 April 2005.