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Pope John Paul II Historic Photos

Karol Wojtyla's seminary career, which lasted from 1942 to 1946, had to progress beneath nazi radar because the reich was bent on ridding poland of its priest.
pope_history_40 		Infant Karol Wojtyla is held by his mother, Emilia, and his father, karol, in this undated photo. The future Pope John Paul II was born May 18, 1920, to Emilia and Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland. Emilia died in 1929 when Karol was 9 years old.
12938 		Father Karol Wojtyla is pictured on a cycling outing in Poland in the early 1950s. His strong interest in outdoor activities continued through his years as Pope John Paul II, until the effects of age kept him away from strenuous pursuits.
pope_history_20 		Father Karol Wojtyla is pictured reading in a kayak in 1955. Three years later during a kayaking trip, he was called to Warsaw for the announcement that he was to be made a bishop. In 1978, then-Cardinal Wojtyla was elected pope and took the name John Paul II.
pope_history_21 		Karol Wojtyla -- pictured in right column, third from bottom -- is featured in the 1939 group roster for the Krakow Theatre. The future Pope John Paul II had written for and acted in dramatic productions.
pope_history_15 		A group of children poses with a young Father Karol Wojtyla, center, at a Polish church. As assistant pastor of a rural parish in Niegowic, one of his first assignments, the future Pope John Paul II was remembered for his generosity to the poor, care for children and establishing a drama circle.
pope_history_30 		Bishop Karol Wojtyla lathers up for an outdoor shave during a 1959 mountain-climbing expedition. Pope John Paul II has maintained an active outdoor life throughout his tenure as bishop, cardinal and pope.
pope_history_23 		Bishop Karol Wojtyla walks among the ruins of the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece. In 1963, the future Pope John Paul II, with a group of bishops from the Second Vatican Council, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that included a stop in Greece.
pope_history_29 		Infant Karol Wojtyla is pictured in an undated photo in Wadowice, Poland. The future Pope John Paul II was born May 18, 1920, the second son of Karol and Emilia Wojtyla. His older brother, Edmund, was born in 1906.
pope_history_02 		Karol Wojtyla during a break in a mauntain excursion. Pope John Paul II has maintained an active outdoor life throughout his tenure as bishop, cardinal and pope.
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The wedding photograph of Karol Woityla's parents
pope_history_01 		Karol Wojtyla when he was Archbishop of Cracovia. He was a strong defender of Catholic Church against the communist party (1967-1978). Archbishop Karol Wojtyla receives the cardinal's red berretta from Pope Paul VI at the beginning of the consistory in the Sistine Chapel June 26, 1967.
pope_history_41 		S.E. Karol Wojtila during the visit of Lanciano's church, 1964.
pope_history_35 		Karol Wojtyla at Lolek, the future pope loves nature, walking and camping life. Pope John Paul II has maintained an active outdoor life throughout his tenure as bishop, cardinal and pope.
pope_history_24 		Karol Wojtyla with his godmother Matie Anne Wiadrowska, 1952.
pope_history_10 		S.E. Karol Wojtila during the visit of Lanciano's church, 1964.
pope_history_42 		Karol Wojtyla received military training in the university academic legion.
pope_history_18 		Karol Wojtyla when he was Archbishop of Cracovia, 1964-1967.
pope_history_39 		Karol Wojtyla received military training in the university academic legion.
pope_history_17 		Karol Wojtyla with some friends during a mauntain excursion.
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Novitnska is held by Karol Wojtyla. They are in the Tyanecka's street house, 1941.
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pope_history_13 		Infant Karol Wojtyla is held by his mother, Emilia, in this undated photo. The future Pope John Paul II was born May 18, 1920, to Emilia and Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland. Emilia died in 1929 when Karol was 9 years old.
pope_history_03 		A young Karol Jozef Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II, is pictured with his father, also Karol, in a photo taken in the mid-1920s. Wife and mother Emilia died when Karol was 9. His older brother, Edmund, died of scarlet fever three years after their mother's death.
pope_history_05 		Twelve-year-old Karol Wojtyla, upper left, is pictured with classmates in a school picture. The future Pope John Paul II attended Marcin Wadowita School in Wadowice, Poland.
pope_history_06 		The priest Kazimierz Figlewicz with the choir-boys from Wadowice, Karol on the left.
pope_history_36 		Ten-year-old Karol Wojtyla -- pictured in second row, second from right -- poses with his class in 1930 on a visit to the Wieliczka salt mines in Poland. His father, Karol, is also in the photo -- second row, fourth from right. The future Pope John Paul II attended Marcin Wadowita School in Wadowice, Poland.
pope_history_07 		Karol Wojtyla is pictured at his first Communion May 25, 1929. The future Pope John Paul II received the sacrament at the Church of Our Lady in Wadowice, Poland, one month after the death of his mother, Emilia.
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pope_history_12 		Karol Wojtyla when he was Archbishop of Cracovia. He was a strong defender of Catholic Church against the communist party (1967-1978). Archbishop Karol Wojtyla receives the cardinal's red berretta from Pope Paul VI at the beginning of the consistory in the Sistine Chapel June 26, 1967.
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Father Karol Wojtyla with his breviary.
pope_history_28 		Karol Wojtyla went hiking with these students in 1954. Pope John Paul II has maintained an active outdoor life throughout his tenure as bishop, cardinal and pope.
pope_history_25 		Father Karol Wojtyla, center, went skiling in the resort tows of Zakopane. Pope John Paul II has maintained an active outdoor life throughout his tenure as bishop, cardinal and pope.
pope_history_26 		At St.Florian's Church in Krakow in 1951, the 31-year-old father Wojtyla was a charismatic leader of university student.
pope_history_34 		Karol Wojtyla's seminary career, which lasted from 1942 to 1946, had to progress beneath nazi radar because the reich was bent on ridding poland of its priest.
pope_history_33 		Karol Wojtyla received military training in the university academic legion.
pope_history_16 		The importante of literatura,art and drama in the life of Karol. The future Pope John Paul II studied at Jagellonian University, wrote and acted with the theater.
pope_history_14 		Karol Wojtyla became an officer in the Polish Army and was stationed in Wadowice.
pope_history_19 		Karol Wojtyla during a ski day. Pope John Paul II has maintained an active outdoor life throughout his tenure as bishop, cardinal and pope.
pope_history_27 		S.E. Karol Wojtila during the visit of Lanciano's church, 1964.
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