Karol Wojtyła, known as Pope John Paul II, was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. He became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years when he was elected in 1978. His papacy lasted for 27 years, making him one of the longest-serving popes in history. During his time as pope, Wojtyła 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 100 countries and addressing global issues such as human rights and peace.