Karol Wojtyla grew up in Poland and became a priest after his studies in an underground seminary during World War II. Fr. Wojtyla gave himself wholeheartedly to whatever he was assigned to do, whether it was academic work or canoe trips with the youth in his parish. When he became pope in 1978, John Paul II continued to lead the Church with great magnificence and enthusiasm. He started World Youth Days; invited all to come into the Church; and did other great things with love, wisdom, hard work, and perseverance, undergirded by an intense prayer life. He frequently said, “Do not be afraid!” and was an inspiration to many people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike.