Beatification of John Paul II Beatification of John Paul II Today in Rome, John Paul II receives one of the highest honors in Catholicism — beatification.His successor, Pope Benedict XVI, will oversee proceedings that are expected to draw pilgrims from all over the world.See why it's unusual. Find out more about the former pontiff and the deeds that helped him earn his reverent nickname. Background of John Paul II Birth: John Paul II was born in 1920 in Central Europe. School: He studied philosophy in college until 1939. Priesthood: The future pontiff was ordained as a priest in 1946 and became the youngest bishop in his homeland. Death: At the time of his death in 2005, he’d held the second longest papal reign in history Solidarity Movement in Poland Many believe Pope John Paul II helped create Poland’s Solidarity Movement in 1980. That movement also sparked a landmark political change His pastoral visits Pope John Paul II made more official visits to foreign countries tha...