Pope Saint John Paul II

Item Number: P181

Size: 10" (25.4cm)
[1920-2005], born Karol Jozef Wojtyla, was the only Polish pope and the first non-Italian pope to be elected since the 1520's. His reign lasted more than 26 years. He was one of the forces credited with the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and in Russia. He traveled more than any other pope to more than 100 countries. He was extremely popular, drawing the largest crowds in history. He beatified and canonized many, many people. He died April 2, 2005 at 9:37 p.m. Millions of pilgrims flocked to Rome to pay homage to his body and to attend his funeral.