Pope John Paul II-Baltimore, MD - Statues of Religious Figures on Waymarking.com

Inscription on the monument: Pope John Paul II
on the occasion of his visit to Baltimore
October 8 1995

Maryland holds a special place in the history of American Catholicism, indeed in the religious history of the nation. It was here that religious freedom and civic tolerance were enshrined in the American experience, just as in recent time Maryland has been a pioneering area in ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. Today, religious tolerance and cooperation among Americans cannot simply be a pragmatic or utilitarian undertaking, a mere accommodation to the fact of diversity. No, the source of your commitment to religious freedom is itself a deep religious conviction. Religious tolerance is based on the conviction that God wishes to be adored by people who are free: a conviction which requires us to respect and honor the inner sanctuary of conscience in which each person meets God. –Address at the Gathering of Catholic, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Leaders Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

From Wikepedia:
Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II; Italian: Giovanni Paolo II; Polish: Jan Pawel II; born Karol Józef Wojtyla ['kar?l 'juz?v v?j't?wa];[a] 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 to 2005.
He was elected pope by the second Papal conclave of 1978, which was called after Pope John Paul I, who had been elected in August to succeed Pope Paul VI, died after 33 days. Cardinal Wojtyla was elected on the third day of the conclave and adopted the name of his predecessor in tribute to him.[21][22] John Paul II is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe.[23] John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as the right to life, artificial contraception, the ordination of women, and a celibate clergy, and although he supported the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he was seen as generally conservative in their interpretation.[24][25]
He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 and canonised 483 people, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. By the time of his death, he had named most of the College of Cardinals, consecrated or co-consecrated a large number of the world's bishops, and ordained many priests.[26] A key goal of John Paul's papacy was to transform and reposition the Catholic Church. His wish was "to place his Church at the heart of a new religious alliance that would bring together Jews, Muslims and Christians in a great religious armada".[27][28]
John Paul II was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX, who served for nearly 32 years from 1846 to 1878. Born in Poland, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope since the Dutch Pope Adrian VI, who served from 1522 to 1523. John Paul II's cause for canonisation commenced in 2005 one month after his death with the traditional five-year waiting period waived. On 19 December 2009, John Paul II was proclaimed Venerable by his successor Pope Benedict XVI and was beatified on 1 May 2011 (Divine Mercy Sunday) after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints attributed one miracle to his intercession, the healing of a French nun from Parkinson's disease. A second miracle attributed to John Paul II's intercession was approved on 2 July 2013, and confirmed by Pope Francis two days later (two miracles must be attributed to a person's intercession to be declared a saint).
John Paul II was canonised on 27 April 2014 (again Divine Mercy Sunday), together with Pope John XXIII.[29] On 11 September 2014, Pope Francis added these two optional memorials to the worldwide General Roman Calendar of saints.[30] It is traditional to celebrate saints' feast days on the anniversary of their deaths, but that of John Paul II (22 October) is celebrated on the anniversary of his papal inauguration.[31][32] Posthumously, he has been referred to by some Catholics as "St. John Paul the Great", although the title has no official recognition.[33][34][35]

Associated Religion(s): Roman Catholic Statue Location: North Charles Street at the intersection of West Franklin Street. This monument is located on the grounds of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Entrance Fee: None Website: [Web Link] Artist: Not listed

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