Krakow: The Vatican approves the decision of the Polish bishops’ committee to initiate the nomination of Carol Votiveeva and Emilia, the parents of Pope John Paul II. Krakow Archbishop Marek Jedrzevsky made the announcement that the naming process has initiated in the Archdiocese. He suggested that any documents or information about them be submitted before May 7.
In October 2019, Krakow Bishop asked the Vatican for official permission to begin the naming process in the Archdiocese. Carol Wojtyva was an officer in the Polish Army and Emilia was a teacher. The two were married on February 10, 1906. The couple gave birth to three children. Pope John Paul was two of Edmund and Volga. Volga was born and died shortly after.
The Wojtyla family were individuals who had a strong Catholic faith. Her family strongly opposed the anti-Semitism at the time. The Polish bishops’ committee said the pope’s family had a profound influence on the spiritual and material development of the time. His mother, Emilia, died before Pope John Paul was nine. Her father, Carol, looked after her two sons until his death twelve years later.
History tells us that the life of Carole Votieva, a profound believer and hard worker, led John Paul to the path of holiness. Pope John Paul has repeatedly stated that he would see his father praying on his knees at night. It was his father who taught the Pope about the Holy Spirit.
