Pope John Paul II 1920 - 2005

May 13, 1981 - Vatican City, Vatican City State - One of the most beloved popes in history among Catholics and non-Catholics alike, JOHN PAUL II captured the world's attention and admiration during his 26-year pontificate. It is said that he was the most recognized man in the world and he is by far the most widely travelled pope in history. The pope regularly drew crowds of more than a million people, and his popularity was satirically compared to that of a rock star. But on May 13, 1981, an assailant's bullets put his pontificate on hold. The pope, who was circling St. Peter's Square in an open jeep during a weekly audience, suffered serious intestinal wounds. He was rushed to surgery at a Rome hospital; his recovery took several months, with a second hospitalization for a blood infection. PICTURED: Pope right after the assassination attempt

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

26-year Admiration Alike Assailants Beloved Bullets Catholics Circling Compared Hospitalization Infection Intestinal Jeep Pontificate Popes Popularity Recognized Recovery Regularly Rushed Suffered Surgery Travelled Vatican Weekly Widely Wounds

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