Pope John Paul II (2002 – 2005)

Pope John Paul II (1920–2005), the 264th Pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, appears on the first circulation coin. The state name Città del Vaticano indicates the coin's country of issue.

Karol Wojtyła of Poland was elected Pope John Paul II in 1978, becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than 450 years. He is regarded as one of the most influential popes of modern times, notably for his role in the peaceful collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and his extensive foreign travels, which greatly expanded the papacy's global presence. His 27-year pontificate ranks among the longest in Church history, and he was canonized in 2014.