Cracow 1938-1978
In the summer of 1938, father and son left Wadowice and moved to Krakow. It was there that Karol began to realise his dream of studying Polish Studies. They lived together in a house at 10 Tyniecka Street, belonging to Robert Kaczorowski, Mrs Emilia's brother, renting from him a small, two-room flat located in the ground floor.
Jagiellonian University
The first year at Jagiellonian University became an opportunity for young Karol to develop internally as a young poet and actor. It was also a time to form friendships that would last for many, many years, including with Juliusz Kydrynski. It was also at this time that Wojtyla became known to the general public, when he took part in a literary evening called "Dear Poplar Bridge." It was there that he publicly recited his own poems. Unfortunately, these moments were dramatically interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.
World War II
The events of World War II forced Karol Wojtyla to discontinue studies at the Jagiellonian University and to start physical work in the chemical plant “Solvay” in Krakow in order to avoid deportation to the forced labour in Germany. In 1941 Karol lost his last close person – his father, who died after a long, serious illness.
Seminary
A year later young Wojtyla began to study at the Metropolitan Higher Seminary in Krakow and on 1 November 1946 he was ordained a priest. Then he left for Rome to study at the Papal Athenaeum Angelicum (now the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas) where he also studied the faith issue of St. John of the Cross. He was granted a doctor’s degree at the Jagiellonian University.
Young priest
In 1948, Karol Wojtyla served as a vicar and catechist in the parish Niegowic. Soon he was transferred to the parish of St. Florian in Krakow. There he met a group of students, which became his closest friends. One of the factors joining that group together was love for hiking and nature. During the summer they organized hiking to mountains and kayaking, and skiing in the winter. It happened that priest Karol separated from the group to pray and contemplate in peace. They remember those trips as a form of retreat or an opportunity to solve life problems.
Lecturer
At the beginning of the 50’s he was sent on holiday in order to complete his habilitation thesis. He was publishing in catholic press (monthly “Znak” and weekly “Tygodnik Powszechny”) and writing philosophical essays. From 1954, for almost 25 years, he was teaching theology and ethics at the Catholic University of Lublin. In the eyes of his students he was a demanding lecturer but at the same time fair and open to discussions.
Bishop
In 1958 he was appointed an auxiliary Bishop and then Archbishop of Krakow (1964) becoming the youngest Archbishop in the world. He was visiting parishes, monasteries and he opened a beatification process of Faustyna Kowalska. He was meeting with artists and the scientists.
So forward we moved by canoe on the river's waves, and then by truck carrying sacks of flour, and that's how I got to Olsztynek. The train to Warsaw was leaving late at night. So I took my sleeping bag with me, thinking that while waiting for the train I would take a little nap and ask someone to wake me up. However, there was no such need, as I did not fall asleep at all.
In Warsaw, I reported to Miodowa Street for the designated hour. [...]. When I entered the Primate's office, I heard from him that the Holy Father had appointed me auxiliary bishop to the archbishop of Cracow[...]. Hearing the Primate's words heralding the Holy See's decision to me, I said: "Eminence, I am too young, I am only 38 years old."
But the Primate said: "This is the kind of weakness from which we are quickly cured. Please do not oppose the will of the Holy Father." So I said one word: "I accept." "Well, then we will go to lunch," the Primate concluded.
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Cardinal
His next step was joining the Cardinals College (1967), also as the youngest member of this body. He cooperated with the Polish Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, known as Primate of the Millennium and was visiting foreign parishes and universities. In 1976 he led the Vatican Lenten retreat.
Pope from Cracow
On 16 October 1978 Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Bishop of Rome. As Pope he assumed the name of John Paul II.
