Karol Wojtyla was born in Wadowice on May 18, 1920. In 1938 he started Polish Language studies (Polish philology???) at Jagiellonian University in Cracow. He was one of the very talented students. However, as the Second World War broke out in 1939, he had to give up his studies and start a physical work in Cracow's quarries and in Solvay Chemical Works. In 1942 Karol Wojtyla started his education in a Theological College in Cracow. Between 1946 and 1948 he was studying in Rome. In 1953 he received his assistant professor title at Theological Faculty in Cracow. He lectured in social ethics in a Theological College. In 1954 he was a lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy in Catholic University in Lublin. On July 4, 1958 Karol Wojtyla was appointed as the Ombi bishop. On September 28, 1958 he was consecrated bishop. On December 30, 1963 he was appointed as the metropolitan archbishop of Cracow. On May 29, 1967 he was made (appointed) a cardinal. Finally, on October 16, 1978 Karol Wojtyla was chosen a pope and took the name John Paul II. On October 22, 1978, he formally began his pontificate.