Pope John Paul II ( Latin : Ioannes Paulus II ) , sometimes called Blessed John Paul or John Paul the Great , born Karol Józef Wojtyła ( Polish : ( ˈkarɔl ˈjuzɛf vɔjˈtɨwa ) ; 18 May 1920 - 2 April 2005 ) , was Pope from 16 October 1978 to his death in 2005 .
II ; Polish : Jan Pawel II ; Italian : Giovanni Paolo II ) , sometimes called Blessed John Paul or John Paul the Great , born Karol Józef Wojtyła ( Polish : ( ˈkarɔl ˈjuzɛf vɔjˈtɨwa ) ; 18 May 1920 - 2 April 2005 ) , was the head of the Catholic Church from 16 October 1978 to his death in 2005 .