Pronunciation: [d͡ʒˈɒn pˈɔːl ˈɪa͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The proper spelling of the name of the late Pope John Paul II is ‘dʒɑn pɔːl’. The ‘II’ is spelled as two Roman numerals, ‘I’ standing for ‘the first’. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, ‘dʒ’ represents the sound made by the letter ‘j’ in ‘John’. The ‘a’ in ‘Paul’ is pronounced as ‘ɑ’, which is the same sound as the ‘o’ in ‘all’. Lastly, the ‘ɔː’ sound in ‘Paul’ refers to the sound made by the letter ‘a’ in ‘law’.
John Paul II refers to Karol Józef Wojtyła, born on May 18, 1920, and died on April 2, 2005. He was a significant figure in the Catholic Church and served as the Pope from 1978 until his passing. Born in Wadowice, Poland, he was the first non-Italian Pope in over 455 years and the first Polish Pope in history.
John Paul II's papacy lasted for 26 years, making it the second-longest papal reign in history. He actively engaged in promoting Catholic teachings and the Church's moral values on various issues, including human rights, social justice, and religious freedoms. He traveled extensively, visiting over 129 countries, and communicated with millions of people worldwide through his numerous speeches, encyclicals, and pastoral visits.
During his pontificate, John Paul II played a crucial role in shaping global events. He significantly contributed to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and is often attributed as an influential figure in the end of the Cold War. His stance on controversial topics such as contraception, abortion, and euthanasia was unwavering and in adherence to traditional Catholic doctrine.
After his death, John Paul II was widely regarded as one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century. His beatification process began in 2005 and was ultimately canonized as a saint in 2014, becoming Saint John Paul II. His charismatic personality, dedication to the Catholic faith, and commitment to global peace and solidarity remain an inspiration for millions of Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
