He was a priest in Poland, became the Bishop and Archbishop of Krakow, was elevated to Cardinal, and was elected Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on October 16, 1978, choosing the name John Paul II. His pontificate lasted 26 years and was the third-longest in the history of the Church, following that of St. Peter and of Pius IX, which was 31 years.
Il a été prêtre en Pologne, évêque puis archevêque de Cracovie, cardinal, élu pape de l'Église catholique romaine le 16 octobre 1978 sous le nom de Jean-Paul II. Son pontificat de 26 ans en fait le troisième plus long de l'histoire de l'Église, après celui de Saint-Pierre et celui de Pie IX qui a duré 31 ans.