Karol entered Jagiellonian University in Krakow in 1938 to study literature and philology. He wrote poetry and acted in theater group. When the Nazis closed the university, he worked as a laborer and began studying for the priesthood in an illegal seminary. Karol also belonged to an underground theatrical group that performed anti-Nazi plays, and he helped Poslish Jews escape persecution. After World War II Karol studied at a seminary in Krakow, and in 1946 he was ordained. In 1958 he became the youngest Polish bishop when he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Krakow. In 1964 he was named archbishop. After becoming a cardinal in 1967, he studied philosophy in Belgium and France.

Throughout his years as a leader in the church, Wojtyla continued his interest in athletics and in writing. Fluent in six languages, he wrote poetry; and his books included 'Love and Responsibility', a work on sexual morality. As a spokesman for the large Roman Catholic p

Collier's Encyclopedia Vol.13 Copyright (c) 1986

John Paul called the right to life "the primordial presupposition of every other human right."

The pope survived an assassination attempt by a Turkish political dissident in St. Peter's square on May 13, 1981. On May 12, 1982, when he went to Portugal's Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima to give thanks for his recovery from the gun wounds, another attack on his life was attempted. A rebel Spanish priest, carrying a bayonet, was subdued by security guards.

On January 25, 1983, the pope approved the first revision of the Roman Catholic church's canon law since it had been codified in 1917. The new code, however, did not change any of the more controversial prohibitions of the church.

John Paul II "Pilgrimage of Faith" Copyright (c) 1979.

When he went home to Poland, the visit became a movable feast. Wherever he went, he was followed by crowds so large it was impossible to reliably estimate their numbers. People stood for hours with no sign of complaint. They prayed. They sang. They burst into vigorous applause at the slightest opportunity. One of their own had come home. The "son of Poland", they remembered John Paul II.

Upon his election as pope on October 16, 1978, he was only 58. John Paul II adopted both the name and the style of his predecessor. To avoid a conflict with a soccer match, he scheduled his coronation for noon. He became the first pope to wear trousers under his vestments. He performed a rare wedding ceremonyfor commoners. In his official statements, however, John Paul II supported traditional church doctrines. An exception was the customary Vatican policy of neutrality, which he abandoned as he became involved in international political controversy.

Most of these topics, as well as a number of others of which

Some common words found in the essay are:
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