Special Sub-Topic: Famous Poles III: John Paul II Click Here To Play: Famous Poles III: John Paul II

What was this Pope's name before he became John Paul II?

Karol Wojtyla. Jan Pawel means "John Paul" in Polish. The correct answer was, of course, Karol Wojtyla. Joseph Ratzinger was the name of Pope Benedict XVI.

In what year during the Second World War did the pope-to-be enter an underground seminary?

1942. John Paul was in the seminary for the rest of the war. He was formally ordained a priest on November 1, 1946.

How many popes were there before Pope John Paul II?

263. Pope John Paul I was the 264th pope, and Benedict XVI is our 265th pope. John Paul II was also the first non-Italian pope in hundreds of years, and the very first Polish pope. (The reason for making this quiz!)

What does this famous pope's motto "Totus Tuus" mean?

Totally Yours. Pope John Paul II took his motto from a Marian consecrating prayer, originally penned by Saint Louis de Montfort. The words "Totus Tuus" were also included near the beginning of the late pope's will.

How many exorcisms did Pope John Paul II perform throughout his papacy?

3. All three exorcisms were performed on women. They were performed in 1982, 2000, and 2001. For those of you who are out of the loop, an exorcism is the banishment of an evil spirit from a body.

Did Pope John Paul actually create a chess problem when he was still Karol Wojtyla?

no. It is known that Wojtyla was an eager chess player, but he never devised his own problem. There was at one point a conspiracy concerning this, but it was disproved.

Is it true that "Servant of the Servants of God Pope John Paul" was one of his titles?

yes. His list of titles is extensive. Others include Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, and Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church.

How old was Karol Wojtyla when he became John Paul II?

58. At 58, Pope John Paul II was one of the youngest popes in history. The youngest ever Pope was Pope Pius IX, who was elected at 54.

The first time John Paul II was shot, on May 13, 1981, who was the gunman?

Mehmet Ali Ağca. John Paul II survived the assassination attempt, he said, because of the "Protection of Our Lady of Fatima." The gunman was caught and sentenced to life-imprisonment. The Pope came to visit him in jail, and Mehmet Ali Ağca felt remorse, for which John Paul forgave him.

Which pro-Polish, anti-communist society, headed by Lech Walesa, did Pope John Paul support?

Solidarity. Solidarity, Solidarność in Polish, was a Polish trade union. Their goal, which was eventually accomplished, was to bring down the Iron Curtain and annihilate Communism in Eastern Europe.