Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Pope Saint John Paul II

Stand In The Gap With Us And Pope Saint John Paul II 10/22/2023

The process of canonization in the Catholic Church requires two miracles. The first miracle for John Paul's canonization was the healing of Sister Marie Pierre from Parkinson's disease through his intercession. The second miracle healed Floribeth Mora Diaz's brain injury after an aneurysm left her terminal.

John Paul II known for? John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He travelled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries and religions, and he campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism. He survived an assassination attempt in 1981.

Pope John Paul II -- Benedict XVI's predecessor -- chose his name to honour his predecessor, Pope John Paul I, who died just one month into his reign. By assuming his name, John Paul II signalled his intention to continue the previous pope's work during his papacy.

Pope John Paul II is remembered for his successful efforts to end communism, as well as for building bridges with peoples of other faiths, and issuing the Catholic Church's first apology for its actions during World War II.

John Paul II and Soviet collapse: 1978 to 1991. John Paul II has long been credited with being instrumental in bringing down communism in Catholic Eastern Europe by being the spiritual inspiration behind its downfall and a catalyst for a peaceful revolution in Poland.

It was on this day in 1981 that gunmen attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square. Though the headline says he was shot twice, the pope was actually shot four times. The attempted assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca, was quickly apprehended.

“Open wide the doors to Christ,” urged John Paul II during the homily at the Mass where he was installed as pope in 1978.