St. John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyła in 1920, was the first Polish pope and served from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was known for his efforts to improve relations between the Catholic Church and other religions, as well as his strong stance against communism, particularly in his native Poland. During his papacy, he traveled extensively, visiting over 120 countries and addressing millions of people. He was a key figure in promoting human rights and social justice, and he canonized more saints than any of his predecessors. His legacy continues to influence the Catholic Church and global society today.