Karol Wojtyla was a well-known and beloved figure throughout the world. By far the most travelled of all popes, he visited 129 countries during his pontificate, which spanned the years from 1978 to 2005. His tireless advocacy for human rights made him an influential international leader while demonstrating his great love for God and humanity.
John Paul II also made significant progress in ecumenism, reaching out to Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion.
