Pope St. John Paul II

The Latest

Pope John Paul II, circa 1991

Those letters between John Paul II and a woman? Not so secret, actually.

Feb 15, 2016

Experts and friends of Pope St. John Paul II responded quickly to a BBC promotion of a documentary about his... Read more

What challenges do women face at work? The Vatican takes a look

Dec 8, 2015

By Ann Schneible

A two-day Vatican workshop over the weekend explored the unique challenges faced by women as they balance work with family... Read more

St. Mary's Basilica on Krakow's Main Square.

A tour of Saint John Paul II's Poland

Oct 28, 2015

By Kate Veik

St. John Paul II had just celebrated the closing Mass of his historic trip to his home country of Poland... Read more

Pope John Paul II circa 1991.

The saint and the synod – John Paul II’s legacy still seen in Church teaching

Oct 22, 2015

Though it has been more than 10 years since the death of Pope John Paul II, the saint’s impact can... Read more

Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square circa 1978.

What was JPII's secret to inspiring the youth? His mere presence, secretary says

Oct 7, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Ahead of next year’s World Youth Day in Krakow, the long-time secretary for Pope John Paul II explained how the... Read more

A childhood friendship that shaped JPII's love for the Jewish community

Aug 2, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Saint John Paul II's historic embrace of former chief rabbi of Rome Elio Toaff welcomes visitors to a new Vatican... Read more

Benedict XVI receives honorary doctorate from the Pontifical University of John Paul II and the Academy of Music in Krakow. Pool photo.

Receiving awards, Benedict XVI credits witness of John Paul II

Jul 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

After receiving an honorary doctorate from both the Pontifical John Paul II University of Krakow and the Krakow Academy of... Read more

Death with dignity: A friend recalls last minutes of John Paul II's life

Apr 27, 2015

By Ann Schneible

A once avid outdoors-man whose final years were marked by disability and suffering, Saint John Paul II witnessed to what... Read more

Elio Toaff on Feb. 12, 2007.

Rabbi Toaff: Nazi-fighter, inter-religious giant, and one of the few people remembered in JPII's will

Apr 21, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Rabbi Elio Toaff, the first rabbi to welcome a Pope to a Roman synagogue, died Sunday at the age of... Read more

Pope John Paul II Visits United Nations.

Relic of Saint John Paul II makes pilgrimage to Cuba

Apr 14, 2015

Seventeen years after the historic visit of Saint John Paul II to Cuba, the Polish pope is returning to the... Read more

A West German man uses a hammer and chisel to chip off a piece of the Berlin Wall as a souvenir in November 1989 (Credi: U.S. Department of Defense).

Ruins of the Berlin Wall: what they whisper 25 years later

Nov 9, 2014

By Ann Schneible

What remains of the Berlin Wall discloses a subtle yet stark reminder for civilization to not “look to walls as... Read more

Icon of St. John Paul II in Santa Maria Church (Sant'Egidio community) in Rome.

John Paul II 'taught me how to be a person,' secretary recounts

Oct 28, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Saint John Paul II’s deep love for the world and for God continues to inspire people today to draw near... Read more

Mass is said at the St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C., for the late Pope's optional memorial, Oct. 22, 2014.

Hundreds flock to US shrine to celebrate first feast of St John Paul II

Oct 22, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Hundreds of pilgrims and faithful from all states of life flocked to Washington, D.C.'s St. John Paul II Shrine on... Read more

Pope Saint John Paul II Shrine in Washington D.C., Oct. 8, 2014.

No secret to sanctity: JPII exhibit teaches universal call to holiness

Oct 10, 2014

By Matt Hadro

A state-of-the-art exhibit at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine will show that the late Pope’s example of holiness... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio de Janeiro.

Pope's Albania visit will draw from past, look to future

Sep 16, 2014

Pope Francis’ upcoming Albanian visit will highlight Mother Teresa, honor the martyrs of Albania’s atheistic past, and suggest the country’s... Read more

Pope John Paul II.

First parish dedicated to John Paul II in Chinese-speaking world

Sep 16, 2014

The Diocese of Kaohsiung in Taiwan has become the first in the Chinese-speaking world to have a parish dedicated to... Read more

Tapestries of Sts. John XXIII and John Paul II hang from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica shortly before their canonizations.

Sts John XXIII, John Paul II added to General Roman Calendar

Sep 12, 2014

The Congregation for Divine Worship on Thursday added Saints John XXIII and John Paul II to the universal calendar of... Read more

Pope Francis meets with seminarians from the Pontifical Roman universities on May 12, 2014.

Vatican releases schedule for Pope's trip to Albania

Jul 31, 2014

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis will make a one-day trip to Albania in September, during which he is slated to meet with local... Read more

Official logo, prayer for WYD Krakow 2016 announced

Jul 3, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a press conference held earlier today in Krakow, Poland, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz presented the official logo and prayer for... Read more

 Haylee McArthur speaks with CNA June 11, 2014.

Catholic high school's first graduates celebrate in Rome

Jun 12, 2014

By Elise Harris

The first graduating class of the U.S.-based John Paul II Catholic High School celebrated by making a pilgrimage to Rome... Read more