Pope II, also known as Pope John Paul II, was the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was born on May 18, 1920, in Poland and became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. His papacy was marked by efforts to improve relations with other religions and a strong stance against communism. During his time as pope, he traveled extensively, visiting over 120 countries and addressing global issues such as poverty, human rights, and peace. Pope John Paul II was canonized as a saint in 2014, reflecting his significant impact on the Church and the world.