Pope John Paul II: 1920-2005

Look at the life of the beloved and controversial cleric who led the Vatican for more than 25 years

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EARLY YEARS

Karol Sr. implored his son to join the priesthood, but died in 1941 before seeing the young man's swift rise through the church's ranks. After being ordained in 1946, Wojtyla was named archbishop of Krakow at age 43. Four years later, in 1967, Wojtyla became a cardinal (pictured in Krakow upon returning from the ceremony in Rome).