Original: II , Italian : Giovanni Paolo II , Polish : Jan PaweÅ II ) , born Karol JÃ zef WojtyÅ a \/O/ Ë kaÉ 3\/4 É '' l Ë juzÉ f vÉ '' iË tÉ wa \/O/ ( 18 May 1920 â '' 2 April 2005 ) , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of The Holy See from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005 , at of age .
Simplified: Blessed Pope John Paul II was born in Wadowice , Poland on 18 May 1920 as Karol JÃ zef WojtyÅ a and died on 2 April 2005 . He was elected Pope on 16 October 1978 , and served for 27 years .