Saint John Paul II

Karol Wojtyła was born in Wadowice, Poland, in 1920. By age 21 he had lost his mother, his brother, and his father. During the Nazi occupation he worked in a quarry and studied for the priesthood in a clandestine seminary.

He served as priest, bishop, and cardinal of Kraków under communism, defending the faith with intelligence and courage. In 1978 he was elected Pope — the first non-Italian in 455 years — and took the name John Paul II.

For almost 27 years he traveled the whole world: 104 journeys, more than 120 countries, and he founded World Youth Day. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981 and personally forgave his attacker. He died in 2005 and was canonized in 2014.

Saint John Paul II showed that faith is not afraid of the modern world: he engaged young people, scientists, artists, and leaders of every religion, and defended the dignity of every human person. His feast is celebrated on October 22, the anniversary of the start of his papacy.

• Matthew 14:27 — 'Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not': the biblical echo of his famous 'Be not afraid!'

• Saint Carlo Acutis
• Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)
• The Blessed Virgin Mary