IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 186 

Honoring the life’s work of Pope John Paul II. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 5, 2005 

Mr. HIGGINS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on International Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the life’s work of Pope John Paul II. 

Whereas Pope John Paul II was born Karol Jozef Wojtyla 

on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, and was baptized in the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed 

Virgin Mary; 

Whereas Karol Wojtyla defied the Nazi regime in the pursuit 

of his faith, studying secretly to become a Roman Catholic priest during the German occupation of Poland in 

World War II; 

Whereas on November 1, 1946, Karol Wojtyla was ordained 

a priest and began his formal service to his faith, to God, 

and to his fellow men; 

Whereas during his service to God in Poland, Karol Wojtyla 

defied Communist regimes through the indoctrination 

and proselytization of his faith, serving as Assistant Pas-
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•HRES 186 IH 

tor at the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in 

Niegowic, then Assistant Pastor of St. Florian’s Church 

in Krakow, then Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow, and then 

Archbishop of Krakow; 

Whereas on June 26, 1967, Karol Wojtyla was elevated to 

the College of Cardinals; 

Whereas on October 16, 1978, Karol Wojtyla was elected the 

264th Pope of the Catholic Church and took the name 

John Paul II; 

Whereas after surviving an attempt on his life on May 13, 

1981, Pope John Paul II beseeched humanity to ‘‘Pray 

for the brother who shot me, whom I have sincerely forgiven,’’ teaching a powerful lesson of absolution that resonated with the world’s people; 

Whereas John Paul II was the most traveled Pope in history, 

used his influence to mediate conflicts around the world 

in Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, and the Middle 

East, and established diplomatic relations with more than 

70 nations, including the State of Israel; 

Whereas in his official papal visits to Rome’s main synagogue 

and to the Holy Land, in his outreach to people of other 

faiths through the First World Day of Prayer for Peace, 

and in his outreach to the Jewish community for forgiveness for past Christian intolerances, Pope John Paul II 

bridged many of the divisions among our world’s religions; 

Whereas Pope John Paul II connected with and inspired 

youth throughout his life, often using modern communication from radio to Internet to spread his message to 

the world’s children; 
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•HRES 186 IH 

Whereas throughout his time on earth, Pope John Paul II 

fought tyranny, oppression, inequity, and hatred through 

his life’s work of love, acceptance, peace, justice, and 

hope through faith in God; and 

Whereas on April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II passed away, 

his pontificate having spanned 26 years, 5 months, and 

17 days, having touched countless lives with his exemplary leadership and devout faith, and having influenced 

millions of people around the world and here in the 

United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) honors the life’s work of Pope John Paul II; 

3 (2) extends its deepest sympathy and condo4 lences to the members of the Roman Catholic 

5 Church; and 

6 (3) recognizes the significant contributions 

7 made by Pope John Paul II during his lifetime in 

8 championing human rights, fighting for universal 

9 peace, assisting developing nations, promoting just 

10 economic development, and teaching tolerance of all 

11 faiths. 

Æ