Pope John Paul  II

May 18, 1920 - April 2, 2005
Gone but Not Forgotten

Matthew 5:1-22
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

May 18, 1920
Karol Joseph Wojtyla is born in Wadowice, Poland.

1937
Enrolls in philosophy department at Krakow's Jagiellonian University.

1942
Begins studying for the priesthood in Krakow's underground seminary.

1946
Ordained as a priest and sent to Angelicum University in Rome.

1958
Ordained as auxiliary bishop of Krakow.

1964
Appointed archbishop of Krakow.

1967
Inducted into the College of Cardinals, which elects the pope.

1978
Elected the first Polish pope on Oct. 16.

1979
Makes his first trip to the United States.

1981
Shot and wounded by Mehmet Ali Agca in St. Peter's Square on May 13.

1983
In prison visit, he forgives Agca for assassination attempt.

1984
Brings together the youths of Rome on Palm Sunday. The gathering becomes known as World Youth Day.

1992
The pope's gall bladder and a precancerous tumor in his colon are removed.

1997
Condemns failure of Christians to speak out against Nazi genocide of Jews during World War II.

2000
Denounces gay pride parade in Rome, saying it was an insult to Christianity, but also calls on Catholics to treat homosexuals with respect.

2005
Hospitalized with the flu and breathing problems.

April 2, 2005: Pope John Paul II dies at 84.

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