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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II (Karol Jozef Wojtyla) of Poland, following his accession to the papacy on October 19, 1978.
Pope John Paul II wears traditional Polish dress during his first visit (June 1979) to his native country after acceding to the Papacy. The Pope was outspoken in his encouragement to the Polish people in their fight for freedom.
Assassination attempt, A hand holding a gun aims from the crowd at Pope John Paul II as he rides through St Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 13, 1981. An instant later he was shot. Following a 41-hour-operation the next day, the Pope went on to make a full recovery. The gunman, Mehmet Ali Agca, was immediately arrested. He was pardoned in June 2000, a month after the Pope revealed that the attempt on his life was the last of three 'secrets of Fatima', revealed to three Portuguese shepherd children who claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary's apparition in 1917.
A Polish soldier, A 19-year-old Karol Wojtyla, later Pope John Paul II (centre), is seen holding a rifle while performing 'present arms' in this July 1939 photo. Two months before the outbreak of World War II, he attended a military training camp in Western Ukraine, then eastern Poland.
James Sensenbrenner Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Urging
President Bush to Award Pope John Paul II the Presidential Medal of Freedom
'I am your new Bishop of Rome', The newly-elected Pope John Paul II acknowledges cheers from pilgrims crowding St Peter's Square during his first appearance as Pope on October 16, 1978. The former Archbishop Karol Wojtyla of Krakow introduced himself not as the Pope but as 'the new Bishop of Rome, called from a distant country'.
The young Cardinal, Pope John Paul I (left) greets Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Kracow, who became Pope John Paul II on October 16 1978.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II is also a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal,
the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress
Young priest Karol Wojtyla
John Paul I at his installation being greeted by the Pope-to-be, Cardinal Wojtyla
300,000 people waiting in St. Peter's Square, Vatican for a new Pope
Pope John Paul II - Polish
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla
Pope John Paul II kissing his motherland
Pope John Paul II visited Warsaw, Gniezno, Czestochowa, and Krakow - everywhere welcomed by the huge crowds
Assassination attempt by Mehmet Ali Agca
Pope John Paul II seriously wounded
The two famous Poles: Pope John Paul II and Lech Walesa
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions What titles does the pope hold? What is the pope's email address? How do I write to the Holy Father? Can the pope resign? If the pope becomes incapacitated, can he be removed? Why does the Catholic Encyclopedia count 265 popes while the Vatican acknowledges 264? Is it true that there have been "wicked" popes? Does the pope receive a salary? If so, how much? What is the pope's license plate number? W as there ever an African pope? Was there ever a woman pope? What is an anti-pope? What are the papal prophecies? For complete election process go to: Papal Elections For listing of all Popes go to: List of all Popes
What titles does the pope hold? He is Bishop of Rome; Vicar of Jesus Christ; Successor to the Prince of the Apostles; Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church; Patriarch of the West; Primate of Italy; Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Rome; Sovereign of the Vatican City; and Servant of the Servants of God. What is the pope's email address? Unfortunately, the pope does not have a public email address. How do I write to the holy father? Your letter to the Holy Father should be addressed as follows: His Holiness John Paul II Apostolic Palace 00120 Vatican City State, EUROPE Do not write Italy any where on the envelope. The Vatican, as an independent country, has its own mail service. Also, make sure to write "air mail" on the envelope so that it is sent by plane and not by ship. The pope does not have a public email address.
Can the pope resign?
Yes, a Pope may resign. No one has to accept the resignation. The vacancy would be filled by normal procedures (voting).
No One Must Accept Resignation
According to Canon 332 of Church Law, when a Pope resigns, since he is Supreme Pontiff, no one has to accept the resignation.
The Canon reads:
"If it should happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone."
Historic Resignations
Several Popes have resigned including Benedict IX (1033-44), Gregory VI (1044-46), Celestine V (1294) and most recently Gregory XII (1406-15).
Ability to Resign Formally Established by Boniface in 1294
Boniface VIII (1294-1303) who became Pope after Celestine V's resignation, decreed: "Whereas some curious persons, arguing on things of no great expediency, and rashly seeking, against the teaching of the Apostle, to know more than it is meet to know, have seemed, with little forethought, to raise an anxious doubt, whether the Roman Pontiff, especially when he recognizes himself incapable of ruling the Universal Church and of bearing the burden of the Supreme Pontificate, can validly renounce the papacy, and its burden and honour: Pope Celestine V, Our predecessor, whilst still presiding over the government of the aforesaid Church, wishing to cut off all the matter for hesitation on the subject, having deliberated with his brethren, the Cardinals of the Roman Church, of whom We were one, with the concordant counsel and assent of Us and of them all, by Apostolic authority established and decreed, that the Roman Pontiff may freely resign. We, therefore, lest it should happen that in course of time this enactment should fall into oblivion, and the aforesaid doubt should revive the discussion, have placed it among other constitutions ad perpetuam rei memoriam by the advice of our brethren."
If the pope becomes incapacitated, can he be removed? Under canon law, a pope is allowed to resign. However, a pope may not be removed even if he becomes incapacitated. No Pope has ever lost his mental capacity. However, there was a bed-ridden pope. Two years after taking office, Pope Clement XII (1730-1740) went blind. He also had a severe case of gout and spent most of his ten years in office in bed. Why does the Catholic Encyclopedia count 265 popes while the Vatican acknowledges 264?
The confusion arises around Stephen II (752) who died 3 days after his election, but prior to his consecration. The Vatican list does not contain him, whereas the Catholic Encyclopedia’s list does.
The Vatican refers to Pope John Paul II as the 264th pope. The official list is based on the definitive study of Popes, completed in 1947 by Msgr. Angelo Mercato, Director of the Vatican Archives. The Vatican accepted and published his findings as the official list. This list and the Popes since then add up to 264. The Pope Chart includes these 264 Popes. Click here for a complete List of all Popes
Is it true that there have been " wicked" popes?
Yes.
Jesus established his church to safeguard the deposit of faith he left with Peter and his disciples. Jesus said the "gates of hell" would never overcome it. He promised that He would be with it until the end of time. He promised the the Holy Spirit would be with it until the end of time. Their continual presence guarantees the preservation of truth when the Pope and Magisterium, who are successors of Peter and the Apostles, issue statements under certain conditions on faith and morals. This is the gift of "infallibility" which Jesus gave to Peter and his successors. Jesus did not give Popes the gift of impeccability, which means they can't sin. Then, he would have to take away their free will. Even Peter had the free will to deny him three times... Popes, like you and I, will be answerable on how we use our free will.
Does the pope receive a salary? If so, how much? The Pope does not receive a salary. He does not even have a bank account.
What is the pope's license plate number?
The pope mobile's license plate number is:
SCV 1 SCV in Italian stands for: Stato della Citta del Vaticano ( Vatican City State ). Some Romans joke that it is an acronym for "Se Cristo Vedesse" - if only Christ could see this :-)
Was there ever an African pope?
Yes, there were three African popes.
14- St. Victor (189-199)
Born in Africa, he was elected in 189 and died in 199, a martyr. He was the fourteenth pope. He decreed that, in Baptism, any kind of water could be used in an emergency. Memorable was his struggle against the bishops of Asia and Africa so that Easter should be celebrated according to the Roman rite and not according to the Jewish one.
32 - St. Miltiades (311-314)
Born in Africa in 311. During his pontificate the emperor Constantine, after the vision "in hoc signo vinces", issued his decree of tolerance for the Christian Faith. Blessed bread dates from this time. He constructed the original Basilica of St. John Lateran. the Basilica has been rebuilt twice. The present church was finished in 1650.
49 - St. Gelasius I (492-496) Born in Rome of African decent. He instituted the Code for the uniform ceremonies and rites. Because of his charity he was called the "Father of the Poor". He maintained the supremacy of the church over the kings. He inserted the "Kyrie Eleison" (Greek for "Lord have mercy") into the Mass.
Was there ever a woman pope? No. However, there is a long-standing myth of a Pope Joan. According to the legend, an English woman disguised herself as a man and was elected to the papacy as John VIII, between St Leo IV and Benedict III around 850. Her true gender was discovered when she bore a child during a procession through Rome. Upon review of historical documents, the first mention of this 9th century "Popess" was in the mid-13th century and it is now considered a myth.
What is an anti-pope? An anti-pope is someone who lays false claim to the papacy. In many cases, they would assume papal duties in defiance of the true Pope. Felix V (1440-1449) was the last antipope. What are the papal prophecies? These are the 1139 Prophecies of St. Malachy. They states that there will be 110 popes after Celestine II and then the world will end: "In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term of which the city of the seven hills will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge his people. The End.". For each of the 110 future popes starting with Celestine II, the prophecy contains a 'motto' or characteristic of the pope. Many seem to fit. Pope John Paul II motto is "De labore Solis" meaning "from the labor of the sun". He was born on May 18, 1920 during a solar eclipse. If antipopes are counted, there have been 99 popes and 10 antipopes equaling 109. Therefore, the Prophecy of St. Malachy indicates there will be two more popes after John Paul II. The next Pope will be the second to last Pope Gloria Olivae ("Glory of the Olives") and the final will be Peter the Roman. Many think this prophecy was a sixteenth century forgery. This is when they were discovered and the mottos fit "too well" until that time. The church has no official opinion on the authenticity of the prophecies. For more information on the Prophecies of Malachy, go to: www.catholic-pages.com/grabbag/malachy.asp, and also near the end of this Catholic Encyclopedia article on prophecy: www.newadvent.org/cathen/12473a.htm
Nationality of Popes
Of the 264 popes (262 to be exact because Pope Benedict IX, during the dreadful medieval fights between popes and anti-popes, was elected three times) 205 were Italians, (of whom 106 were Romans), and 57 foreigners; comprised of 19 Frenchmen, 14 Greeks, 8 Syrians, 5 Germans, 3 Africans, 2 Spaniards, 1 Austrian, 1 Palestinian, 1 Englishman, 1 Dutchman, and 1 Pole.
Names of Popes
The most commonly used name is John (23 times), followed by Gregory (16 times), Benedict (15 times); 43 names were used only once. Only two Popes have taken two names; John Paul I and II.
Ages of Popes The oldest Pope was Adrian I (772 AD), elected at 80 years of age The Youngest was Benedict IX (1032 AD) at 12 years of age * (*Many now believe that he was likely closer to 20 years old when he assumed the papacy.)
Length of Pontificate The longest was Pius IX (1846/1878 AD) 32 years The shortest was Stephen II (752 AD) one day
Other Points of Interest 81 Popes have been canonized 7 have been beatified There have been 38 antipopes Source: The Popes , sixth edition, 1999 Memmo Caporilli
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Medal History
