Pope John Paul II was born in 1920 in Poland and became Pope in 1978. As Pope, he advocated strongly for human rights and dignity. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, he argued that work is a right that provides dignity and basis for other rights. He said the focus should be on the human dignity of workers rather than just capital or work output. Pope John Paul II traveled widely as Pope, spreading messages of peace and hope until his death in 2005. He was later canonized as a saint in 2014.
Pope John Paul II was born in 1920 in Poland and became Pope in 1978. As Pope, he advocated strongly for human rights and dignity. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, he argued that work is a right that provides dignity and basis for other rights. He said the focus should be on the human dignity of workers rather than just capital or work output. Pope John Paul II traveled widely as Pope, spreading messages of peace and hope until his death in 2005. He was later canonized as a saint in 2014.
Pope John Paul II was born in 1920 in Poland and became Pope in 1978. As Pope, he advocated strongly for human rights and dignity. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, he argued that work is a right that provides dignity and basis for other rights. He said the focus should be on the human dignity of workers rather than just capital or work output. Pope John Paul II traveled widely as Pope, spreading messages of peace and hope until his death in 2005. He was later canonized as a saint in 2014.
As we all know, St. Pope John Paul II is considered as one of the most influential and respected religious leaders that ever lived. What made him well-known around the world was his significant contributions to the Catholic church, especially as an advocate for human rights. In a while, I would be discussing how the pope showed importance to human rights and dignity, but for now let us get to know him and his life before, during, and after becoming a pope and a saint, later on. Before becoming the pope that everyone adored, he was simply known as Karol Jozef Wojtyla. He was born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland, and his parents were Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. In 1938, he entered the University of Jagiellonian where he spent his high school years. Unfortunately, just a year after his entry in the university, it had to close down during the German occupation. When he realized that he wanted to become a priest, he studied at a secret seminary regardless of the possible threats to his life. After the World War II, he continued his studies and in 1946, he finally became a priest. He then stayed in Rome for two years to finish his doctorate in Theology. In 1948, he went back to Poland wherein he served various parishes, and ten years later, he served as the bishop of Ombi. In 1964, he was appointed as the archbishop of Krakow. Aside from those mentioned above, he also took part in the Second Vatican Council wherein he helped review the church doctrines, and in 1967, he was given the position of cardinal due to his contributions to the church. Finally, in 1978 he became the most powerful leader of the Catholic Church by becoming the pope. During his term as pope, he travelled in Italy and around the world to visit churches to meet with his followers and carrying with him his message of peace and hope. Due to his desire to have close encounter with other people, he was almost killed in 1981 when he was shot twice in St. Peter's Square. As the pope grew older, it became harder for him to move and walk around and it was said that he was suffering from Parkinson's disease. The pope took his final breath on April 2, 2005 at the age of 84 in Vatican City. Several years after his death, his influence on the Catholic church can still be observed until now. When he was still living, he was known for promoting human rights, and for vocally expressing his opposition to oppression of people from different walks of life. Laborem Exercens, one of his encyclicals, tells us that it is through labor that we become co-creators with God, and by having a meaningful work, we are able to satisfy our dignities as persons. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, workers have been seen as objects that do the work, rather than persons with feelings and dignity. But according to the pope, instead of focusing on the work performed by the person, we should give more emphasis on the laborer since work should be seen as a right and a basis for all other rights. As an example, it is through work that people are able to provide for their families and it is the task of employers to make sure that laborers are given enough compensation for their work. In relation to this, people with disabilities should not be discriminated and should be allowed to work. In short, this encyclical instills to us that aside from capital, human dignity and social justice should be a priority. On April 27, 2014, Pope John Paul II, together with Pope John XXIII, was officially declared as saint. References: B. (2014, April 26). John Paul II Biography. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/john-paul-ii-9355652#legacy (2011, November 21). Retrieved from http://www.cacatholic.org/teachings/catholic-socialteaching/social-encyclicals/laborem-exercens-human-work