St. John Paul II (born May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland—died April 2, 2005, Vatican City; beatified May 1, 2011; canonized April 27, 2014; feast day October 22) was the bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005.

He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country. His pontificate of more than 26 years was the third longest in history.

As part of his effort to promote greater understanding between nations and between religions, he undertook numerous trips abroad, travelling far greater distances than all other popes combined, and he extended his influence beyond the church by campaigning against political oppression and criticizing the materialism of the West.