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The Story of John Paul II
A true story told in simple words: a boy called Lolek from a Polish town who lost his family one person at a time, kept his faith alive through war, became pope, and taught the world to "not be afraid."
Short answer: This read-aloud John Paul II storybook for children ages 5 to 12 tells how Karol Wojtyla, called Lolek, of Wadowice in Poland kept his faith alive through war, studied for the priesthood in secret and became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. It ends with his words: do not be afraid.
Story Summary
This read-aloud storybook tells children ages 5 to 12 the true story of John Paul II: the boy Karol Wojtyla, called Lolek, from Wadowice in Poland, who lost his family one person at a time, kept his faith alive through war, studied for the priesthood in secret, and became the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. It ends with the three words he gave the world - do not be afraid - and with the forgiveness he showed the man who shot him.
- For ages 5 to 12, with read-aloud narration on every page.
- An 11-page storybook told in simple words.
- Grounded in the documented record; the fuller adult account is on the St John Paul II page.
- Part of the Saint Storybooks library.
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Evidence for This Page
AI-generated read-aloud narration. Illustrations are original composite scenes, not historical footage.
What Young Hearts Can Learn
Do Not Be Afraid
He had known fear his whole life - war, loss, danger - and still told the world not to be afraid.
Keep Praying
He learned prayer watching his father kneel, and he never let go of it, through grief, war, and the papacy.
Small Lights in the Dark
When his country went dark, he helped protect words, theater, and faith - things fear could not put out.
Forgiveness
He forgave the man who shot him - refusing to let hatred have the final word.
About Saint John Paul II
- Lived
- 1920-2005
- Place
- Wadowice and Krakow, Poland; Rome
- Status
- Canonized April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis
- Feast
- October 22
Karol Wojtyla was born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. He lost his mother, his brother and his father while still young. During the Nazi occupation he worked in a quarry and a chemical plant and secretly studied for the priesthood. He was ordained on November 1, 1946.
He became Archbishop of Krakow in 1964 and was elected pope on October 16, 1978, the first Pole to hold the office and the first non-Italian since 1523. He visited 129 countries and started World Youth Day. He survived a shooting in Saint Peter's Square on May 13, 1981, and later forgave the gunman. He died on April 2, 2005, and was canonized with Pope John XXIII.
True Dates in the Story
- May 18, 1920: Karol Jozef Wojtyla is born in Wadowice, Poland - called Lolek at home.
- April 13, 1929: His mother Emilia dies. Karol is eight years old.
- 1932: His brother Edmund, a doctor, dies.
- 1938: He begins university in Krakow. 1939: Nazi forces invade Poland and close the university; he works in a quarry and a chemical factory.
- February 18, 1941: His father dies. 1942: He enters the clandestine seminary of Krakow.
- November 1, 1946: He is ordained a priest.
- October 16, 1978: He is elected pope and takes the name John Paul II. October 22: "Do not be afraid" - his first homily as pope.
- 1985: He announces World Youth Day; the first official celebration follows in 1986.
- May 13, 1981: He is shot and seriously wounded in Saint Peter's Square. He later forgives his attacker.
- April 2, 2005: He dies in the Vatican. April 27, 2014: Canonized by Pope Francis. His feast day is October 22.
Note: The dates in this story come from the Holy See's biographical profile and the Wadowice family-home museum's family chronology. The story's sounds and scenes (church bells, a closed classroom) are story imagery, not claims of one witnessed moment.
Research Basis
- Vatican (Holy See): Biographical profile for the canonization of John Paul II (2014)
- Vatican (John Paul II): Inaugural homily - "Do not be afraid" (October 22, 1978)
- Vatican (Holy See): World Youth Day chronology
- Wadowice Family Home Museum: the Wojtyla family (the nickname Lolek, family dates, his father at prayer)
For the full documented life and the video collection, read St. John Paul II.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this storybook for?
Children ages 5 to 12, reading on their own or listening with family. Every page has a Read Aloud button with gentle narration, so the book can be heard as well as read.
Who was John Paul II?
Karol Wojtyla (1920-2005), a Polish cardinal elected pope in 1978 - the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He carried the Gospel to 129 countries and was canonized on April 27, 2014.
Is the story true?
Yes. It retells documented events: his boyhood in Wadowice, the secret seminary during the war, his election as pope in 1978, and his forgiveness of the man who shot him.
Why did he say "do not be afraid"?
He spoke those words at the start of his papacy in 1978, to a world that had lived through wars and dictatorships. He meant that trust in Christ is stronger than fear.