We remember with fond affection His Holiness Pope John Paul II, an eminent student of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas

Fr. Karol Wojytla enrolled in the Faculty of Theology of the Angelicum on the 26th November 1946,  to pursue  a doctoral degree. On 14th June, 1948, he defended his thesis entitled: Doctrina de Fide apud S. Joannem a Cruce (The Doctrine of Faith in St. John of the Cross)
The University preserves, as a great treasure, the documents of the illustrious ex-student, especially his typewritten thesis.

 Pope Wojytla visited the Angelicum twice: on the 17th November 1979, and on the 25th November 1994. During his first visit, he recalled the faithfulness of St. Thomas to the power of truth, while on his second visit, he encouraged us to dedicate ourselves in to the search of truth and the denunciation of error.

Recently, through its project of a special John Paul II Semester, the University organized a public exhibition of material regarding the young Karol, and held courses and seminars dedicated to the person and thought of Pope John Paul II demonstrating its richness, value and relevance to the present times (http://www.semesterkw.org). Moreover, with the contribution of noted Scholars from the Angelicum and from other Universities, our University brought out the book entitled Karol Wojtyla. Un Papa venuto dall’Angelicum (Città Nuova Editrice), (http://www.semesterkw.org/gli-anni-dellangelicum).

Pope John Paul II will be beatified in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on 1st May 1, 2011, by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. This is indeed a moment of special joy for our academic community here at the Angelicum.