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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Remarks on the Death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II April 2, 2005
Vatican Funeral of His Holiness Pope John Paul II April 8, 2005
Pope John Paul II arrives on the morning of his installation to the papacy, accompanied by his secretary of the time, a protonotary apostolic de numero in surplice and violet mantelletta now reserved to that class. This is the only time in this Pope's pontificate when His Holiness has used a simar made entirely of watered silk. His Holiness wears also the simple rochet and red state mozzetta , along with a red state stole.
Events in the life of Pope John Paul II
Short Biography of His Holiness John Paul II
President George W. Bush Presents the Medal of Freedom to
His Holiness Pope John Paul II - June 4, 2004 Vatican, Rome
Pope John Paul II Accepts Presidential Medal of Freedom Photos
Tribute to His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Biography
Karol Józef Wojtyła , known as John Paul II since his October 1978 election to the papacy, was born in Wadowice, a small city 50 kilometres from Cracow, on May 18, 1920. He was the second of two sons born to Karol Wojtyła and Emilia Kaczorowska. His mother died in 1929. His eldest brother Edmund, a doctor, died in 1932 and his father, a non-commissioned army officer died in 1941.
He made his First Holy Communion at age 9 and was confirmed at 18. Upon graduation from Marcin Wadowita high school in Wadowice, he enrolled in Cracow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 and in a school for drama.
The Nazi occupation forces closed the university in 1939 and young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-1944) and then in the Solvay chemical factory to earn his living and to avoid being deported to Germany.
In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses in the clandestine seminary of Cracow, run by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, archbishop of Cracow. At the same time, Karol Wojtyła was one of the pioneers of the "Rhapsodic Theatre," also clandestine.
After the Second World War, he continued his studies in the major seminary of Cracow, once it had re-opened, and in the faculty of theology of the Jagiellonian University, until his priestly ordination in Cracow on November 1, 1946.
Soon after, Cardinal Sapieha sent him to Rome where he worked under the guidance of the French Dominican, Garrigou-Lagrange. He finished his doctorate in theology in 1948 with a thesis on the topic of faith in the works of St. John of the Cross. At that time, during his vacations, he exercised his pastoral ministry among the Polish immigrants of France, Belgium and Holland.
In 1948 he returned to Poland and was vicar of various parishes in Cracow as well as chaplain for the university students until 1951, when he took up again his studies on philosophy and theology. In 1953 he defended a thesis on "evaluation of the possibility of founding a Catholic ethic on the ethical system of Max Scheler" at Lublin Catholic University. Later he became professor of moral theology and social ethics in the major seminary of Cracow and in the Faculty of Theology of Lublin.
On July 4, 1958, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cracow by Pope Pius XII, and was consecrated September 28, 1958, in Wawel Cathedral, Cracow, by Archbishop Baziak.
On January 13, 1964, he was nominated Archbishop of Cracow by Pope Paul VI, who made him a cardinal June 26, 1967.
Besides taking part in Vatican Council II with an important contribution to the elaboration of the Constitution Gaudium et spes , Cardinal Wojtyła participated in all the assemblies of the Synod of Bishops.
Since the start of his Pontificate on October 16, 1978, Pope John Paul II has completed 102 pastoral visits outside of Italy and 144 within Italy . As Bishop of Rome he has visited 301 of the 334 parishes. .
His principal documents include 14 encyclicals , 15 apostolic exhortations , 11 apostolic constitutions and 43 apostolic letters. The Pope has also published three books : "Crossing the Threshold of Hope" (October 1994); "Gift and Mystery: On the 50th Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination" (November 1996) and "Roman Tryptych - Meditations", a book of poems (March 2003)..
John Paul II has presided at 143 beatification ceremonies ( 1,320 Blesseds proclaimed ) and 50 canonization ceremonies ( 476 Saints ) during his pontificate. He has held 9 consistories in which he created 232 (1 in pectore ) cardinals . He has also convened six plenary meetings of the College of Cardinals .
From 1978 to today the Holy Father has presided at 15 Synods of Bishops : six ordinary (1980, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994, 2001), one extraordinary (1985) and eight special (1980, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998[2] and 1999).
No other Pope has encountered so many individuals like John Paul II: to date, more than 17,119,200 pilgrims have participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1,000). Such figure is without counting all other special audiences and religious ceremonies held [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone] and the millions of faithful met during pastoral visits made in Italy and throughout the world. It must also be remembered the numerous government personalities encountered during 38 official visits and in the 709 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State , and even the 241 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers .
Pre-Pontificate
HIGHLIGHTS ON THE LIFE OF KAROL WOJTYŁA
| 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 |
| 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 |
| 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 |
| 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 |
| 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 |
| 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 |
HIS FAMILY
Father
Karol Wojtyła
Son of a master tailor Maciej and Anna, born July 18, 1879 at Lipnik near the city of Bielsko Biała, Poland. Tailor, from 1900 administrative officer of the Austrian army, then lieutenant in the Polish army until his retirement in 1927.
Mother
Emilia Kaczorowska
Daughter of a pack-saddle maker and refurnishes carriages, named Feliks, and Maria Anna; born March 26, 1884.
Brother
Edmund
Born on August 27, 1906 in Kraków, physician, worked in Powszechny Hospital in Bielsko.
KAROL JÓSEF WOJTYŁA
1920
May 18
Born in Wadowice (Kraków), Poland.
June 20
Baptized by the military chaplain P. Franciszek Zak.
Lived with his parents at Rynek 2, (now Via Koscielna 7, apt. no. 4).
1926
September 15
Attended the elementary school for boys, and then the prep years of secondary school "Marcin Wadowita" in which during all his classes he achieved the top grades.
1929
April 13
His mother dies.
1930
June
Admitted to the State Secondary School for boys, "Marcin Wadowita".
1932
December 5
His brother Edmund dies.
1933
June 14
Finishes the third form of Secondary School.
1934-1938
His first student theatrical performances in Wadowice; during Secondary School he is president of the Society of Mary; first pilgrimage to Częstochowa.
1935
September
Participates in military training exercises at Hermanice.
December 14
Admitted into the Society of Mary.
1938
May
Receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.
May 14
Completes leaving exams at Secondary School.
June 22
Enrolls in the Faculty of Philosophy (course of Polish Philosophy) at Jagellonian University, Kraków.
Summer
He and his father move to Kraków (Via Tyniecka 10).
Academic Year
1938-39
While studying at University he joins the "Studio 38", experimental theater group founded by Tadeusz Kudliński.
1939
February 6
Joins the Student Society at the Jagellonian University (Eucharistic and charity section).
July
University military training camp at Ozomla, near Sadowa Wiszna for Polish and Ukraine students.
September 1
Second World War begins.
November 2
Registers for the second year university courses in Literature and Philosophy.
1940
February
Meets Jan Tyranowski, tailor, a man of profound spirituality, shaped by the Carmelite School. Introduces Wojtyła to the writings of John of the Cross and Teresa d’Avila.
Participates in the underground theater directed by Tadeusz Kudliński.
November 1
He earns a living and forestalls deportation and imprisonment, as a stone cutter in quarry at Zakrzówek, Kraków.
1941
February 18
His father dies.
August
Receives into his house the family of Mieczysław Kotlarczyk, founder of the live words theater (Rhapsody).
November 1
First presentation of Król Duch (The Spirit King) by Jiliusz Słowacki.
1942
Spring
Transferred to Solvay chemical plant.
October
Begins clandestine studies for the priesthood in Kraków's underground seminary; registers in the Faculty of Theology of the Jagellonian University.
1943
March
Takes the lead role of "Samuel Zborowski" by Juliusz Słowacki making his first appearance on the theatrical scene. It is also his last appearance in the world of theater (Clandestinely; they preform in the house of a group of friends).
Academic Year
1943-1944
Second year of theology studies. Continues to work in the Solvay chemical plant.
1944
February 29 - March 12
Hit by an automobile; recovery in hospital.
August
Archbishop Adam Stefan Sapieha transfers him, together with other clandestine seminarians to the Archbishop's Residence where he remains until the end of the war. He continues his studies but not his work at Solvay .
November 9
Receives the tonsure.
December 17
Receives the first two minor orders.
1945
January 18
The Russian Armed Forces free Kraków from Nazi occupation.
Academic Year
1944-1945
Third year of theological studies.
April 9
Elected vice-president of the student organization "Bratnia Pomoc" (Fraternal Help) at Jagellonian University. Serves in this capacity until the end of May 1946.
Academic Year
1945-1946
Fourth year of theological studies.
December 12
Receives the two other minor orders.
1946
October 13
Sub-diaconate.
October 20
Diaconate.
November 1
Ordained a priest. As on the preceding occasions, he received Holy Orders from the hands of Archbishop Metropolitan Adam Sapieha in his private chapel.
November 2
Celebrates his first Mass in the crypt of St. Leonard at Wavel.
November 15
Leaves Poland to begin studies in Rome.
November 26
Registers at the Angelicum University.
November 15 - end of December
Lodging with the Pallottines in Via Pettinari.
End of December
Together with Fr. Starowieyski lives at the Pontifical Belgian College in Via Quirinale 26.
1947
July 3
Earns a licentiate in theology.
Summer
With Fr. Starowieyski he travels to France, Belgium and Holland. In the area of Charleroi he carries out his pastoral activities with the Polish workers.
1948
June 14-19
Defends his thesis "The Problems of Faith in the Works of St. John of the Cross "; earns a doctorate in philosophy.
Beginning of July
Returns from Rome to Poland.
July 8
Sent as assistant pastor to Niegowić near Gdów.
December 16
Earns a master's degree in theology at the Jagellonian University in Kraków (1942-1946). Earns a doctorate in sacred theology in the Faculty of Theology at the Jagellonian University with highest marks.
1949
August
Recalled to Kraków to be assistant pastor at St. Florian's.
1950
He starts his publications.
1951
September 1
Archbishop Baziak puts him on leave (until 1953) to complete his qualifying exams for a university position. Up until now he served as a chaplain to the university students (in St. Florian's) and for health workers.
1953
From October
Gives a course in Catholic social ethics for the students of fourth year theology at the Jagellonian University.
December 1-3
Completes his qualifying exams by presenting his thesis on the "ethical system of Max Scheler".
1954
Faculty of Theology at the Jagellonian University abolished, this faculty is then organized at the Seminary of Kraków where he continues his studies. Catholic University of Lublin offers him a non-tenured professorship which he accepts.
1956
From December 1
Appointed to the Chair of Ethics at the Catholic University of Lublin.
1957
November 15
The Central Qualifying Committee approves his appointment as free docent.
1958
July 4
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Mons. Eugeniusz Baziak of Kraków.
September 28
Ordained Bishop in the Cathedral of Wavel.
1960
January
Dissertation published by the Academy of Sciences (Towarzystwo Naukowe) of the Catholic University of Lublin: "Evaluation of the Possibility of Constructing a Christian Ethic based on the System of Max Scheler ".
During 1960
First edition of "Love and Responsibility" (ed. by TNKUL).
1962
April 15
Member of the Polish Episcopal Commission for Education.
July 16
After the death of Archbishop Baziak, named Vicar Capitular.
October 5
Leaves for Rome to participate in the first session of the Second Vatican Council (October 11 - December 8).
1963
October 6 - December 4
Participates in the II Session of the Second Vatican Council.
December 5-15
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with various Bishops of different nationalities present at the Council.
December 30
Designated Metropolitan Bishop of Kraków.
1964
January 13
Papal Bull for the appointment of Archbishop of Kraków.
March 8
Installation ceremony.
September 10
Leaves for the III session of the Second Vatican Council (September 14 - November 21); at its conclusion makes a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, remaining for two weeks.
1965
January 31 - April 6
Participates in the work on Schema XIII, Gaudium et spes on the Church in the contemporary world (Ariccia , 31 January 31 - February 6; Rome , February 8-13; Rome , March 29 - April 6).
September 14 - December 8
IV Session and solemn closing of the Second Vatican Council.
November 18
Letter of Reconciliation of the Polish Bishops to the German Bishops, containing the famous words "We forgive and ask forgiveness ".
1966
December 29
Episcopal Commission for the Apostolate of the Laity is established; Archbishop Wojtyła is made President.
During 1966
Present at the numerous celebrations of the Millennium of the Baptism of Poland.
1967
April 13-20
Participates in the first meeting of the Council for the Laity.
May 29
Paul VI announces the next Consistory. Among the names of the new Cardinals elect is that of Karol Wojtyła.
June 21
Leaves for the Consistory.
June 28
Consecrated Cardinal in the Sistine Chapel, by Pope Paul VI - titular S. Cesareo in Palatio.
September29 - October 29
First General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Cardinal Wojtyła does not attend as a sign of solidarity with the Primate, who was not granted a passport.
October 29
Reception ceremony of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa for the purpose of visitation within the Archdiocese of Kraków. The sacred image had been held previously by the authorities in Częstochowa.
1968
February 18
Takes possession of the titular Church, S. Cesareo in Palatio, Rome.
September 25
"Ad limina" visit to Rome.
December 15
Visitation of the Black Madonna concludes in the Archdiocese of Kraków. Cardinal Wojtyła attends ceremonies in 120 parishes throughout the archdiocese.
1969
January 10
Official address becomes the Archbishop's Residence in Via Franciszkanska 3. Up until that time he continued to reside at his old lodgings in Via Kanonicza 22.
February 28
During his visitation to the parish of Corpus Domini he makes a visit to the Jewish Community and to the Synagogue in the Kazimierz section of Kraków.
March 15
Approval of the statutes of the Episcopal Conference; Cardinal Wojtyła is Vice-President of the Conference.
October 11-28
With his return from America he participates in the First Extraordinary Synod of Bishops as a Pontifical nominated Member.
December
The Polish Theological Society (PTT) of Krakow publishes "The Acting Person " (Osoba i cyzn ).
1970
April 5
Consecration of Auxiliary-Bishops Staniłsaw Smolenski and Albin Malysiak.
May 27 - June 2
Pilgrimage of Polish priests ex-prisoners of Dachau to Rome.
May 29
Participates with other Polish priests in St. Peters at the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the priesthood of Paul VI.
May 30
Participates in the mass of Paolo VI. Audience in occasion of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the priesthood of Paul VI.
During 1970
He makes various pastoral visits to different European nations.
1971
Janurary 8
Convokes the Preparatory Commission of the Archdiocesan Synod of Kraków.
Spring
Writes and publishes in the diocesan bulletin "Notificationes " plans for a Provincial Synod.
September 27
Leaves for the II General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (September 30 - November 6).
October 5
Is elected to the Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
October 17
Participates at the beatification of Fr. Maximilian Kolbe.
1972
May 8
Opening of the Archdiocesan Synod of Kraków.
During 1972
Publishes Foundations of Renewal: A Study on the Implementation of the Second Vatican Council , which reflects his efforts to educate the people of his archdiocese on Vatican II, (Published by PTT).
1973
March 2-9
Participates in the Eucharistic Congress in Australia. Stops at Manila (Philippines) and New Guinea.
May
Visit to Belgium.
June 30
First meeting of the commission of experts on the Provincial Synod presided over by Cardinal Wojtyła.
September 26 - October 5
"Ad limina" visit to Rome.
October 5
Audience with Paul VI.
November
Visit to France (Paris, Chamonix, Annecy).
1974
April 17-25
In Italy, participates in meetings commemorating the VII Centenary of St. Thomas where he gives a paper (April 23).
June 28
In Rome, participates in the celebrations for the anniversary of the coronation of Paul VI and for the consecration of Bishop Andrzej Maria Deskur.
September27 - October 26
III General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Card. Wojtyła, member of the Synod of Bishops, is relator on the doctrinal section.
November 1-3
Visit to San Giovanni Rotondo. (He was there for the first time during his student years and met with Padre Pio).
1975
February 8-9
First National Assembly of Physicians and Theologians, convoked by Cardinal Wojtyła at Kraków.
February 27
Gives a paper ("Participation or Alienation? ") at an international study seminar of phenomenology in Fribourg.
March 3-8
First meeting of the new Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
May 8
IV General Assembly of the Synod of Kraków.
September 19
Visits the German Democratic Republic (DDR).
December 1
At the invitation of Cardinal Colombo, gives a lecture at the Ambrosiana of Milan on the theme "The rights of the Human Being in the light of the recent Synod of Bishops ".
1976
March 7-13
Gives the spiritual exercises at the Vatican, in the presence of Pope Paul VI, the meditations from which have been published as A Sign of Contradiction . He returns to Kraków on the 16th of March.
March 27
Attends congress at the Gregorian University of Rome. He gives the introduction on the phenomenolgy of action.
April 1
Gives two papers at cultural meetings and at the Angelicum , in Rome.
July 23 - September 5
Visit to the United States and Canada.
September 8
Rome, Genova: at a philosophy conference delivers lecture entitled "Theory - Praxis: a human and Christian topic ".
November 22
Card. Wojtyła presides over the Polish delegation at the international conference in Rome for the preparations of the new Apostolic Constitution for Ecclesiastical Studies.
1977
March 1-15
Participates (presides during the absence of Card. Seper) at the third meeting of the Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
March 18
Gives a lecture entitled "The Problem of Creating Culture Through Human Praxis " at Sacred Heart University of Milan.
June 23
Receives a doctorate "honoris causa " from Johannes Guttenberg University, Mainz.
July 1
Lecture at the "Centre du Dialogue" in Paris; at Osny, near Paris, he presides at a meeting for Polish Catholics.
September 30 - October 29
IV General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Is elected to the Council of the Secretary General of the Synod on the 24th of October.
1978
March 12-17
Working sessions at the Congregation for Seminaries and Institutes of Study. During this same time he is present at the ceremony in which the pallium is conferred to Archbishop Tomašek.
May 16-19
Session of the Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.
June 21
Lecture on "Love and Marriage" at the CentroInternazionale Studi Famiglia (CISF) meeting on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Humanae Vitae .
August 11-12
Present at the funeral of Paul VI.
August 25
Conclave begins.
August 26
John Paul I (Albino Luciani) is elected Pope.
August 30
John Paul I receives Cardinals and Card. Wojtyła in private audience; 3 September, he is present at the inauguration ceremony of the pontificate of John Paul I.
September 19-25
Visits the Federal Republic of Germany with Cardinal Primate Stefan Wyszyński and the Bishops of Stroba and Rubin.
October 3-4
Leaves for the funeral of Pope John Paul I.
October 14
Conclave begins.
October 16
Cardinal Karol Wojtyła is elected 264th Pope at approximately 5:15 p.m. He is the 263rd Successor of Peter.
| 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 |
| 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 |
| 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 |
| 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 |
| 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 |
| 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 |
James Sensenbrenner Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Urging
President Bush to Award Pope John Paul II the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Pope John Paul II meeting with Bill and Hillary Clinton in St. Louis, MO.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II is also a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal,
the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress
As Jesus washed His Disciples' feet at the Last Supper, so John Paul II washes and kisses the feet of 12 priests on Holy Thursday in the Cathedral of St. John Lateran, the Pope's Episcopal seat as Bishop of Rome. The papal residence was moved from the Lateran to Avignon, France, in the early 1300s and to the Vatican some 70 years later.
Bishop's crosier pressed to his brow, Pope John Paul II prays during Mass in the Vatican's Pauline Chapel.
Much more on the life of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in story and photos
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Medal History
