Sunday, June 30, 2013

Pope John Paul II

This post was inspired by Hawwa's Palais des Papes stamp from last week's Sunday Stamps.

I have always been drawn into the amiable countenance of Pope John Paul II. I won't comment about him as pope cause I am not an avid follower of the Holy See. But will say and I believe he's one truly amazing person. He's got a great bio: being chosen as the first non-Italian pope in more than four hundred years in the Roman Catholic faith, second longest serving pope in history, and one of the most traveled world leaders -- having visited 129 countries as a pope. 


Pastoral Visit of Pope John Paul II to Poland, released 2 June 2004

Pope John Paul II's real name is Karol Józef Wojtyla. He was born on 18 May 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. He finished his religious studies in a secret seminary in Krakow after World War II. He continued his studies in Rome. Then returned to Poland to serve.

Traces of Karol Wojtyla, released 18 May 2010
Church of St. Peter the Apostle in Wadowice
and the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wadowice

He became pope in 1978. He was a charismatic religious leader but also had his critics. He survived an assassination in 1981 in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. He was more loved when he forgave his assassin. He died on 2 April 2005 at his Vatican residence from an illness. Three million people came to mourn and say good bye during his funeral.

He was beatified on 1 May 2011. To read more about Pope John Paul II, here's a link for a Uncle Wiki's article about him. 

Have a great week ahead everyone. I've been sick, my wallet got stolen and my laptop crashed so I'm not in very good spirits lately. But I'm grateful my laptop was revived, I didn't lose a lot of important files, and I can post for Sunday Stamps before June ends. I will go on hiatus for a month to prepare for the final assessment of my clinical residency at the end of July. 

Au revoir,
~maria

10 comments:

  1. Lovely choices, I particularly like the stamp showing the Pope as a young man. He was a very charismatic person. Good luck with your studies.

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  2. Those are nice portraits of him on the stamps.

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  3. So sorry your wallet was stolen, and your laptop crashed! Please know I am sending good wishes and positive thoughts to you. Good luck on your assessment.

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  4. I remember him as one of the more charismatic popes. Sorry to hear about your wallet and laptop. Things can only get better.

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  5. That he went to a secret seminary is a fascinating piece of information. Nice stamp sets. Sorry to here about your troubles and wish you a more benign July.

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  6. I'm glad I'm inspired you :)
    Interesting post, though I'm neither an avid follower of Popes.

    And sorry for your bad week! I'm sure this week will be better for you!

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  7. You've shown us a lovely series of stamps. Best wishes go to you from me for your assessment. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

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  8. Wow that really great, it's been a while since I didn't hear about pope JP2. He was a singular man, I have seen a serie about his life as a young man, comedian in his country and the way god entere his life, his commitment, well, even if you don't believe you can't resist such a personality.

    Both stamps are wonderful !

    Best wishes for your clinical residency.

    A bientôt

    Grace

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  9. ...and now he'll become a saint before the end of the year, alongside john XXIII...!
    thanks for dropping by recently! just catching up on my blog post comments...

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  10. Just a comment to say hi and wish you an happy weekend Maria.

    Take care !

    Grace

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