Pope John Paul II: Leader of the Catholic Church for 26 Years Dies at 84

Pope John Paul II was the head of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005. Born Karol Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, he was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.

He traveled to more than 120 countries and drew huge crowds. He played a role in the decline of communism in Eastern Europe, starting with his support for Poland's Solidarity movement. He survived an assassination attempt in St. Peter's Square in 1981 and later met his attacker in prison.

John Paul II suffered from Parkinson's disease in his last years. He died at the Vatican on April 2, 2005, at age 84, of septic shock and cardiocirculatory collapse. He was canonized a saint in 2014.

Achievements: Pope (1978-2005), canonized (2014), Time Man of the Year (1994).

Birth: May 18, 1920 - Wadowice, Poland.

Profession: Religious leader.

Interesting Facts: His funeral drew millions of mourners and heads of state to Rome.