Pope John Paul II Bobblehead

Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, served as the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his death in 2005. The first non-Italian pope in 455 years, he became one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century, known for his role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, especially in his native Poland, and for his extensive global travels that brought him into direct contact with millions of people. A prolific writer and passionate advocate for human dignity, interfaith dialogue, and youth engagement, he established World Youth Day and issued numerous encyclicals shaping modern Catholic thought. Canonized in 2014, John Paul II remains a towering figure remembered for his spiritual charisma, moral leadership, and unwavering commitment to peace and human rights.