John Paul IIBorn Karol Wojtyla in 1920, His Holiness Pope John Paul II was ordained a priest in 1946. He was created a cardinal in 1967. He became Pope on 16 October 1978. He died on 2 April 2005. Pope John Paul II published several monographs straddling theoloy, philosophy and social policy. He wrote plays and poetry, a special account of his pastoral experience in Krakow, and collections of sermons delivered all over the world. Read More Read Less