Looking Back Over the Early Years

Karol Josef Wojtyla - Pope John Paul II

1920 18 May, Karol Josef Wojtyla is born in Wadovice, Poland

1929 Death of his mother from heart and kidney problems

1932 Death of his brother from scarlet fever

1938 Moves to Krakow with his father and begins studies at Jagiellonian University. Enrols in drama school

1939-44 Works in a quarry and a chemical factory to avoid deportation

1941 Death of his father

1942 Begins studies for the priesthood in a clandestine seminary in Krakow

1946 1 Nov, ordained priest. Leaves for further studies at the Angelicum University in Rome

1948 Obtains his doctorate on faith in St John of the Cross. Returns to a parish in Krakow

1954 Professor of moral theology at the Lublino Catholic University

1958 Consecrated bishop

1962-65 Takes part in the Vatican Council and contributes to the elaboration of Gaudium et Spes

1967 Nominated cardinal by Pope Paul VI

1978 16 Oct, elected Pope John Paul II, the first foreign pope in 455 years

1981 13 May, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, attempt on his life in St Peter’s Square