The Polish Pope celebrated the Mass of inauguration of his pontificate on October 22, after being elected Successor of Peter on the 16th of the same month. That is why the liturgy celebrates him on this day. He immediately pronounced a phrase that became emblematic: "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ".
He was canonized on April 27, 2014 by Pope Francis along with St. John XXIII, and that same year his memorial was officially included in the General Roman Calendar for October 22.
The day of the four Popes
The joint canonization was an unprecedented symbolic act that some called "the day of the four popes." John XXIII and John Paul II were being canonized by Pope Francis, and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who had beatified John Paul II, attended.
According to Vatican analysts, the joint canonization of both popes was a gesture of unity of symbolic value, both popes already enjoyed great popular veneration before they were canonized. Many of the faithful called for "Sudden saint!" after John Paul II's death in 2005, and John XXIII was referred to as 'the good pope'.
Saint John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, since the time of Hadrian VI, the first Polish pope in history and also the first pontiff from a Slavic-speaking country.
Some central themes
Among the central themes of his pontificate and its legacy Christ as the center of man and of history (Redemptor hominis, 1979). The defense of the dignity of the human person, from conception to natural death, and the fight against reductive ideologies of the human being, Human Rights. Teaching on human love and sexuality (Theology of the body). Dialogue with the world and other religions. Youth and hope, with the World Youth Days (WYD) to bring young people closer to Christ and the Church. Mary, model of faith, Totus tuus. Reasonable and coherent faith (Fides et Ratio).
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