John Paul II led more than a billion Catholics for 27 years and revolutionized how the church's followers relate to the pope. He traveled to more than 125 countries, logging 680,000 miles of travel.

John Paul I’s papacy lasted just 33 days. Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, who succeeded him, chose the name John Paul II. JOHN: Chosen 23 times by popes, most recently in 1958 by Pope John XXIII.

For many centuries, new popes tended to choose the name of the pope who had elevated them to cardinal. John was the most popular, chosen by 23 popes, followed by Benedict and Gregory, each with 16.