In 1944, when the Germans began rounding up Polish men, Wojtyla was transferred, along with the other clandestine seminarians, to the Archbishop's Residence by Archbishop Adam Stefan Sapieha.

He continued to stay in this refuge till the end of the war, during which time he received his first two minor orders. He gave up his job in the chemical factory but continued his education, which culminated in his ordination on November 1, 1946.

Wojtyla received his Holy Orders from the Archbishop Metropolitan Adam Sapieha in his private chapel.

In 1947, after earning his licentiate in theology, Wojtyla travelled to France, Belgium and Holland and carried out his pastoral duties with the Polish workers.

During the next year he continued his academic pursuits and defended his thesis 'The Problems of Faith in the Works of St. John of the Cross'.

Seen in the picture with South African President Nelson Mandela during a meeting at the Vatican on 18 June 1998.

Photographs: PAOLO COCCO/AFP/Getty Images

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