To honor the feast day of our beloved Pope St. John Paul II, we have compiled footage from some of the historic moments of his pontificate. Until about 10 years ago, JPII was the only pope that many of those from our generation ever knew. Today, we ask for his intercession as the herald of the New Evangelization. In some ways, we will always remember him in our hearts as “Papa.”

John Paul II Elected Pope: Oct. 16, 1978

Assassination Attempt in Vatican Square: May 13, 1981

World Youth Days through the Years:

Death of Pope John Paul II: April 2, 2005

Funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II: April 8, 2005

Canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII: April 27, 2014