Film Witness to Hope, based on George Wiegel’s book of the same name

Karol Wojtyla – born in Poland, in Wadowice, a small town outside of Krakow

Loses his sister to scarlet fever and his mother to heart disease by the age of nine
Lives across the street from church; serves as altar boy and spends considerable time, like his father, in prayer
Close friendship with Jewish friend (Wadowice about 20% Jewish)

During WWII, relocated to Krakow (fled Nazi invasion from the West only to be forced back to Krakow by the Red Army)

During Nazi occupation, forced to work at quarry, hard manual labor; changed him forever; impressed upon him the dignity of manual labor

Also became a seminarian during the war.  He was taken into hiding by the bishop of Krakow when the Nazis began rounding up young Polish men after the Warsaw Uprising

Ordained, 1946

Becomes parish priest at St. Florian’s (Jagiellonian University area)

As the realities of state socialism/Stalinization become apparent, Fr. Wojtyla commits himself to created the church as a place where people can be their authentic selves.

Takes students on hiking, camping, skiing trips

Pope as an intellectual, dissident
Studied theatre intensively in secondary school, spent war putting on clandestine performances in people’s apts., wrote poetry (first appears in Tygodnik Powszechny – indep. Catholic newspaper) – which features a mystical voice, metaphorical use of natural images, speaks of the mystery of human soul; college professor – taught philosophy (ethics) at Catholic University of Lublin.

As Bishop of Krakow, his residence becomes a meeting place for Catholic intellectuals as well as all varieties of opposition activists; org’d symposia, allowed churches to be used for Flying University

Nowa Huta – supports resident efforts to build a church there

Elected Pope Aug. 16, 1978 – 1st non-Italian in 455 years!
Egalitarian impulses of his papacy;  message of his first address:  Be not afraid!

1979 – return to Poland as Pope – a catalyzing event for Poles, East European opposition

Millions attend his outdoor masses; first time for many to attend an event spontaneously; feeling of strength, moral superiority, courage.

Builds momentum for the Solidarity movement (founded August 1980)

Other professional achievements:
Becomes bishop (of Krakow) at 38
1960 – first book, Love and Responsibility – on sex in marriage; articulates strong stance against artificial contraception.

1962 – invited by Pope John XXIII to write encyclical on Religious Freedom as a primary Human Right for the Second Vatican Council “Declaration on Religious Freedom (1965)

concerned that W culture had “gone of the rails”; 20th C as century of blood; how to get back on track:  recapture the idea of innate human dignity