2e visit of Pope Johannes Paulus II to Zaïre, 1985

Pope John Paul II (1920- ) is said to be the most recognized person in the world. He is the most traveled Pope in the 2,000-year history of the Church and speaks eight languages. Born Karol Joseph Wojtyla (pronounced Voy-tee-wah) in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920 to an administrative officer in the Polish army and a former schoolteacher. In 1978, at the age of 58 the College of Cardinals elected him to lead the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first non-Italian chosen as Pope in 456 years and the youngest in this century. At age 61 he suffered serious wounds during an assassination attempt.

Traveled to Africa in 1980 & 1985.

Philatelic material:

First Day Covers (FDC)

Design and editor: S.A. Campo-Rodan N.V., Brussels-Belgium

Note: Blanco or airmail envelopes are not shown here but do exist.

FDC with block 60 (block 42 with overprint)

Design and editor: S.A. Campo-Rodan N.V., Brussels-Belgium

FDC Block 60 imperforated: Not known to exist.