Republic of Seychelles 2005 - His Holiness Pope John Paul II - Uncirculated Cupro Nickel Coin

Pope John Paul II is said to have been the most recognized person in the world, the most travelled Pope in the 2,000 year history of the Church and he could speak eight languages.   He was born Karol Joseph Wojtyla 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 the century. 

On the last day of a week-long celebration in October 1998 marking his 20th year as Pope, John Paul II held an open-air mass for 75,000 people in St. Peter's Square and wondered aloud whether he'd done a good job - "Have you been a diligent and vigilant master of the church?" he asked himself. "Have you tried to satisfy the expectations of the faithful of the church and also the hunger for truth that we feel in the world outside the church?"  The Pope offered no answers to the questions, but he did ask for prayers to help him carry on "right to the end."  Regardless of how he rated his performance, there is little doubt that John Paul II was regarded as one of the most significant figures of the last 100 years.

This commemorative coin was originally issued in Uncirculated Cupro Nickel, Proof Sterling Silver and 1/5 oz Fine 999.9 Gold with each precious metal coin struck four times to achieve the illustrious Pobjoy finish.