Saint John Paul II

Saint John Paul II: Saint John Paul II was the pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country. He was born in Poland and survived the Nazi occupation and the communist regime. He was a charismatic leader, a prolific writer, and a world traveler, who played a key role in the fall of communism in Europe and the promotion of the culture of life. He is the patron saint of World Youth Day, young Catholics, families, and the New Evangelization. His feast day is October 22.