John Paul II : Life in Review

It is the eve of the first conclave vote for a new pope. Should this day be called new pope eve or possible new pope eve??! Well since all things with the Vatican begin anew on tomorrow, I thought it appopriate to give Pope John Paul II one last look.

Papal Coat of Arms
The arms of Pope John Paul II was designed by Archbishop Bruno Heim. Allpapal arms include the tiara and the crossed keys, which mark the pope’s legaland spiritual authority over the Church. The shield is unique; instead of thetraditional Marian symbol, it simply uses the letter “M.” Pope John Paul IIinsisted on keeping this design which he used as Cardinal Archbishop of Cracow. The off-center golden cross is symbolic of Christ’s Cross and the “M” is placednear it not only to honor Mary, but to show how she faithfully stood at the foot ofthe cross on Calvary.

Timeline

• 1920 May 18-Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla, in Wadowice, Poland

• 1938 Nazis invade Poland and WWII begins

• 1946 Ordained in Krakow, completed studies at pontifical universities in Rome and returns to Poland
  

• 1958 Consecrated assistant Bishop of Krakow

• 1964 Installed as archbishop of Krakow

• 1967 Consecrated as a cardinal by Pope Paul VI

• 1972 Publishes Foundations of Renewal, about his efforts to educate the people of his archdiocese on Vatican II

• 1978 Elected successor to Pope John Paul I becoming first Polish pope and first non italian pope in 455 years

• 1979 Takes trip to Poland which sparks the Solidarity movement. Also takes first trip abroad to Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico

In His Own Words during his 1979 visit to Poland.

“Do not be afraid. Open, rather open wide, the doors to Christ,” from his first public address after his election onOctober 16, 1978, as the first non-Italian pope in more than 455 years.“I was a laborer for four years and for me those four years of work are worth more than two doctorate degrees,”addressing Rome workers in 1979.“It’s cheaper than another conclave,” responding to criticism in 1979 about the cost of building a swimming pool atthe papal summer residence so he could keep fit.“The pope cannot remain a prisoner of the Vatican. I want to go to everybody…from the nomads of the steppesto the monks and nuns in their convents…. I want to cross the threshold of every home,” to reporters early in hisreign.“How many popes since St. Peter have been able to ski? Answer: One!” to reporters early in his reign.“It is not possible for us to avoid all criticism nor is it possible for us to please everyone. We are humbly convincedthat God is with us in our ministry of truth, and he did not give us a spirit of timidity,” during a 1979 trip to the UnitedStates.“Is it not Christ’s will that this pope, this Slav pope, should manifest at this precise moment the spiritual unity of Europe?”

• 1981 Pope is shot by Mehmet Ali Agca in St. Peter's square

• 1982 A rebel Spanish priest tried to stab the pope at the Marian shrine in portugal. also meets with PLO Yasser Arafat at the Vatican

• 1983 Calls for the heads of government of the United States and the Soviet Unions to negotiate end to the arms race

• 1986 Makes the first visit by any pope to a synagogue. Prays with Romes chief rabbi to foster Catholic-Jewish relations

• 1987 Receives U. S. President Ronald Reagan

• 1989 Receives U. S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev

• 1991 Makaes first trip to his homeland since the collapse of communism

• 1992 Undergoes major surgery to remove a tumor. Issues roman Catholic Church a new Universal Catechism--the first in nearly 5 centuries

• 1993 Agreement signed establishing formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Vatican

• 1994 Publishes his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope. In a letter to the Catholic bishops reaffirms the ban on women priests

• 1995 Papal document Evangelium Vitae calls for non-violet opposition by all Christians to abortion and euthanasia

• 1996 Meets with Fidel Castro
  

• 1997 Vatican establishes diplomatic relations with Libya

• 1998 Goes to Cuba for the first time. The Vatican apologizes to Jews for Catholics who failed to stop Nazi persecution. Also celebrates 20th anniversary as pope
  

• 1999 Meets President Bill Clinton in St. Louis, Mo. Gives permission to start the cause of beatification for Mother Teresa of Calcutta

• 2000 Makes first pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In note left at Jerusalem's Western Wall, expresses sorrow for suffering of Jews at the hands of christians. Celebrates the first papal mass ever held in Egypt. Ushers in Vatican millennium Jubilee year by opening Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica.
  

Mil 2000

• 2001 In first message to world via internet, he apologizes to victims of sex abuse by preists and other clergy. Becomes first pope to visit Greece since Schism

• 2002 Summons U.S. cardinals to discuss sex abuse scandal. Marks his 24th anniversary as pope. Receives U. S. President George W. Bush
  

• 2003 Cardinal in newspaper interview confirms that pope has Parkinson's disease. Celebrates 25 years as pope. Makes a dramatic appeal for world prayer to avert war. Makes 100th foreign trip, visiting Croatia

staff

• 2004 President George W. Bush awrds the pope the Medal of Freedom. Travels to Switzerland to meet with the Association of former Swiss Guards to thank then for guarding the Vatican. Delivery of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God back to Russia

• 2005 Message on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the prisoners of the Auschwitz Birkenau death camps. Pope John Paul II passes away on April 2, 2005 after a long bout with Parkinsons.

~~~~~~~~~~