St. John Paul II changed Catholic Church forever

St. John Paul II served as pope for 27 years, making him the second longest-serving pope in modern history. According to Vatican News and ACI Digital, he was also the first non-Italian pope elected since Adrian VI in 1523.

During his pontificate, John Paul II influenced the political landscape of Eastern Europe, which helped lead to the fall of communism in 1989. His biographer, George Weigel, noted that the pope engaged with sovereign political actors and world leaders to influence the battle against the U.S.S.R.

The pope held 38 official visits and 738 audiences or meetings with heads of state. Historian Paul Kengor noted that U.S. President Ronald Reagan considered the pope a close friend. Vatican News also noted that his papacy resulted in the ordination of hundreds of new priests and a large-scale renewal of Church life.