John Paul II

American

noun

Karol Wojtyla, 1920–2005, Polish ecclesiastic: pope 1978–2005.

John Paul II British

noun

original name Karol Wojtyla. 1920–2005, pope (1978–2005), born in Poland: the first non-Italian to be elected since 1522

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan and John Paul II developed a coordinated strategy focused on fighting Soviet expansion, undermining communism in Eastern Europe, supporting the Solidarity movement in Poland and promoting human rights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The 70-year-old pope himself carried a large wooden cross through all 14 stations retracing Jesus Christ's path to the tomb, marking a return to a tradition observed by John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

In 1998, it released 300 prisoners as a gesture for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In 1998, she was made a Dame of the Order of St Gregory by Pope John Paul II.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

When he was to ask the question, What is the native country of Pope John Paul II?

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023