Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, known as Pope John Paul II, was born on May 18, 1920, in Poland. He became a cardinal in 1967 and was elected as the 264th pope on October 16, 1978. His papacy lasted for 27 years, making him one of the longest-serving popes in history. During his time as pope, John Paul II was known for his efforts to improve relations between the Catholic Church and other religions, as well as his strong stance against communism. He traveled extensively, visiting over 120 countries and addressing global issues such as human rights and peace.