Karol Josef Wojtyla was born on May 18,1920 in Krakow, Poland. He was the second of two sons of Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. On October 16, 1978, at the age of fifty-eight, the College of Cardinals elected him to lead the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first non-italian chosen as Pope.
He first visited the country in February 1973, as Cardinal Karol Josef Wojtyla. During their stopped over at the Manila International Airport on their way to Melbourne, Australia to attend the International Eucharistic Congresses he requested and concelebrated a mass at the Baclaran Redemptorist Church. It was during that time, that Cardinal Wojtyla witnesses the profound devotion of the Filipinos to Mother of Perpetual Help. In his 26 years of pontificate, the Philippines has found a special place in the heart of Pope John Paul II whom he considered a bastion of Christianity in Asia.
As the most -travelled Pope ever, having made 104 foreign trips, Pope John Paul II visited the country in 1981 and in 1995. His pastoral visit in 1981 were highlighted with the visits to the following places of the country which included Manila, Cebu City, .Davao City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Legaspi City, Morong, Bataan, and Baguio City. It was during this visit when the first beatification in Asia was held. Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino Martyr was beatified by Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981 in Luneta Park, Manila. In 1995, Pope John Paul II got a world record of the largest gathered crowd in his World Youth Day visit to the Philippines. An estimated 4 million attended his Mass in Luneta Park, Manila.
Pope John Paul II beatified 1,338 people during his papacy and declared 482 saints. Among them are St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod. As all people of the world regardless of races, religions, and cultures mourned the passing of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005, the Philippine Postal Corporation joins the entire humanity in paying tribute to the life and times of Pope John Paul II.
He first visited the country in February 1973, as Cardinal Karol Josef Wojtyla. During their stopped over at the Manila International Airport on their way to Melbourne, Australia to attend the International Eucharistic Congresses he requested and concelebrated a mass at the Baclaran Redemptorist Church. It was during that time, that Cardinal Wojtyla witnesses the profound devotion of the Filipinos to Mother of Perpetual Help. In his 26 years of pontificate, the Philippines has found a special place in the heart of Pope John Paul II whom he considered a bastion of Christianity in Asia.
As the most -travelled Pope ever, having made 104 foreign trips, Pope John Paul II visited the country in 1981 and in 1995. His pastoral visit in 1981 were highlighted with the visits to the following places of the country which included Manila, Cebu City, .Davao City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Legaspi City, Morong, Bataan, and Baguio City. It was during this visit when the first beatification in Asia was held. Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino Martyr was beatified by Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981 in Luneta Park, Manila. In 1995, Pope John Paul II got a world record of the largest gathered crowd in his World Youth Day visit to the Philippines. An estimated 4 million attended his Mass in Luneta Park, Manila.
Pope John Paul II beatified 1,338 people during his papacy and declared 482 saints. Among them are St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod. As all people of the world regardless of races, religions, and cultures mourned the passing of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005, the Philippine Postal Corporation joins the entire humanity in paying tribute to the life and times of Pope John Paul II.
