Personal Portrait: Blessed John Paul II

Personal Portrait: Blessed John Paul II

A school portrait showing Karol Jozef Wojtyla (top left), the future Pope John Paul II, as a schoolboy, circa 1930. 

Polish priest Karol Wojtyla, who became Pope John Paul II in 1978. He was the first non-Italian Pope since Adrian VI died in 1523. 1948

The young Karol Josef Wojtyla of Poland, the future Pope John Paul II, shaves in the open air, circa 1960.

Polish religious leader Pope John Paul II embraces two small children, circa 1978. 

American president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn and daughter Amy meet Polish Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy, July 15, 1976. 

The new pope, John Paul II, in mitre after mass in the Sistine chapel, Rome, Italy, October 25, 1978. 

Polish Pope John Paul II, being welcomed by the crowds in Mexico. . 7th February 1979

The Polish Pope, John Paul II, praying at “Death Wall”, in the former Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Poland, June 1, 1979. 

The Polish Pope, John Paul II, meeting pilgrims during his visit to Czestochowa.  1st June 1979

Pope John Paul II rides in the Pope-mobile with his back to the camera and his arms outstretched as a crowd looks on during an eight day visit to Poland, June 1979. 

Pope John Paul II, Karol Jozef Wojtyla, kissing the ground on arrival at Madrid airport. In 1978 he became the first Polish pope and first non-Italian for 450 years. His primacy has been notable for both his wide travels throughout the world and for his conservatism in matters such as abortion and the celibacy of the priesthood. 

Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II exchange warm greetings as they meet at the Vatican during the Queen's state visit to Italy.  18th October 1980

Pope John Paul II waves to the crowds from his custom-built truck during a visit to Warsaw. 2nd June 1980

Pope John Paul II (1920–2005) greets the crowds in St Peter's Square at Easter, 1981. 

Police officers keep watch from a rooftop near Westminster Cathedral. London, during the visit of Pope John Paul II to the UK, 28th May 1982. The visit has prompted London's biggest ever security operation. 

Pope John Paul II (1920–2005) is shot by would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Agca in St Peter's Square, 13th May 1981. His attendants help him into his white jeep after the incident. 

Mehmet Ali Agca in custody for the killing of a Turkish journalist in Istanbul. He shot Pope John Paul II in a failed assassination attempt (13th May, 1981). 

Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turkish terrorist who fired six shots into Pope John Paul II in St Peter's Square, Rome is under guard in a court-room following his arrest. 14th May 1981

Turkish assassin Mehmet Ali Agca, who shot and wounded Pope John Paul II in St Peter's Square in May, at the start of his trial, 21st July 1981. 

Pope John Paul II arrives at Westminster Cathedral in his modified Range Rover “popemobile”, on the first day of his visit to the UK, 28th May 1982. The pope will be conducting a service at the cathedral. 

Cardinals take part in the funeral of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square April 8, 2005 in Vatican City, Vatican. 

A faithful reacts as she watches Pope John Paul II's funeral in St. Peter's Square April 8, 2005 in Vatican City, Vatican. 

Archbishop Stanislaw Dsiwisz (R) places a white veil over the face of late Pope John Paul II as Archbishop Piero Marini looks on, prior to closing the coffin for burial in the grottos beneath St. Peter's Basilica April 8, 2005 at the Vatican. The grottos form a cramped underground cemetery beneath St. Peter's Basilica where pontiffs throughout the ages, royals and even an emperor have been laid to rest. 

Thousands of gathered pilgrims attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square April 8, 2005 in Vatican City, Vatican. 

A mourners wipes away a tear as he watches the funeral of Pope John Paul II as it is broadcast live in Trafalgar Square, March 8, 2005 in London.

Hundreds of thousands of Poles turned up to attend the mass in central Warsaw. 

Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of the coffin of John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica at the end of John Paul II Beatification Ceremony on May 1, 2011 in Vatican City, Vatican. The ceremony marking the beatification and the last stages of the process to elevate Pope John Paul II to sainthood was led by his successor Pope Benedict XI and attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims alongside heads of state and dignitaries.

CardinalsI pray in front of the coffin of John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica at the end of John Paul II Beatification Ceremony on May 1, 2011 in Vatican City, Vatican. 

A copy of the Gospel is displayed on the coffin of Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica on May 1, 2011 in Vatican City, Vatican. The ceremony marking the beatification and the last stages of the process to elevate Pope John Paul II to sainthood was led by his successor Pope Benedict XI and attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims alongside heads of state and dignitaries. 

Pope Benedict XVI and cardinals pray in front of the coffin of John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica at the end of John Paul II Beatification Ceremony held by Pope Benedict XVI on May 1, 2011 in Vatican City, Vatican. 

A tapestry featuring the portrait of beatified John Paul II is unveiled on the central balcony overlooking the altar in St. Peter's Square during his Beatification Ceremony held by Pope Benedict XVI on May 1, 2011 in Vatican City, Vatican. The ceremony marking the beatification and the last stages of the process to elevate Pope John Paul II to sainthood was led by his successor Pope Benedict XI and attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims alongside heads of state and dignitaries.