John Paul II
The Cultural Circles bear the name of Pope John Paul II because they are inspired by the human and Christian model he provided, particularly his ability to communicate and engage in dialogue with the contemporary world at social, cultural, political, economic, and religious levels.
His life
Karol Józef Wojtyła was born in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920. Ordained a priest in Kraków on November 1, 1946, he earned a doctorate in theology in Rome in 1948 with a thesis on St. John of the Cross. Upon returning to Poland, he served as a university chaplain and completed his philosophical and theological studies in 1953.
In 1958, Pope Pius XII appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Kraków, and in 1964, Paul VI promoted him to Archbishop, making him a Cardinal in 1967. He participated in the Second Vatican Council and contributed to the constitution Gaudium et spes. He was elected Pope on October 16, 1978, becoming the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years, and began his papacy on October 22, 1978.
His papacy was marked by numerous significant encyclicals and a strong commitment to interreligious and ecumenical dialogue and the defence of human dignity. He survived an assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. He travelled extensively, promoting the Gospel and freedom.
He died on April 2, 2005, and was buried on April 8 in the Vatican Grottos. He was beatified on May 1, 2011, and canonized in 2014. Karol Wojtyła profoundly shaped the history of the Church and humanity, guiding it into the third millennium.
His legacy
John Paul II had an incredible impact on public opinion due to his rich personality: shepherd, man of communication and culture, multilingual intellectual, worker, poet, philosopher, and witness to the history of communist domination in Eastern Europe. His appeal primarily stems from the fact that he was, and is, considered a saint. The Church officially recognized him as such on April 27, 2014.
John Paul II was capable of connecting with every person, treating each as unique. His sincere interest in humanity made him relatable to everyone, from the intellectual world to ordinary people. In his speeches, he translated general theories and analyses into exhortations to place the human person at the centre of culture and progress, arguing that every individual aspires not only to material goods but also to truth and spiritual values.
His magisterium emphasized the importance of "making faith culture." He believed that a faith that does not become culture is not fully embraced, thought, or lived. For him, Christianity needed to engage with science, art, and culture, speaking their language as well. Faith should present itself as the fulfilment of human religious search, welcoming and valuing what is true and good in every religion.
John Paul II's pontificate paved the way for the third millennium, proposing a new way to view modernity and a deeper relationship between faith and culture. His legacy remains an important resource for everyone, including intellectuals and scientists, as well as for anyone seeking truth and meaning.
Importance of culture
John Paul II considered the dialogue between the Church and contemporary cultures fundamental, seeing it as crucial to the destiny of humanity. He emphasized this point in his speech to UNESCO on June 2, 1980, highlighting the importance of culture not only as a means to fully live the human life but also as a tool capable of deeply influencing the entire fabric of humanity, with the power both to liberate and to threaten human existence itself.
In response to these reflections, John Paul II established a Council for Culture. This entity aimed to promote dialogue between the Church and various cultural forms, following the guidelines of the Second Vatican Council, which saw culture as central to the full development of the individual. The Council had also recognized the multiple connections between the message of Christian salvation and culture, and how these interactions could mutually enrich both the Church and the different cultures with which it interacted.
The Council for Culture aims to give a common impetus to the entire Church in the ongoing and renewed interaction between the salvific message of the Gospel and the variety of cultures, addressing the diversity of peoples and bringing the fruits of grace into ever-new contexts. The council is composed of qualified representatives of global Catholic culture and works in an ecumenical and fraternal spirit, promoting dialogues not only with non-Christian religions but also with individuals or groups who do not identify with any religious faith.