Jagiellonian University

Karol Wojtyła walked the floors of the Jagiellonian University for the first time as a 10-year-old: during the doctoral graduation ceremony of his elder brother, a graduate of the Medical Faculty. In 1938, he embarked on Polish studies here, which unfortunately were interrupted by the onset of the second world war. During the Nazi occupation, Wojtyła continued his education at clandestine sessions, first in Polish Philology, and later at the Faculty of Theology. In 1948, he was conferred a doctorate on the grounds of a dissertation entitled "Doctrine of Faith in John of the Cross". In 1953, he defended his higher doctorate, which turned out to be the last one at the Faculty of Theology, as it was closed down in 1954 by the Communists as an expression of resentment towards the Catholic Church.

Wojtyła was never made a professor, even though he lectured at universities for nearly 25 years, participating actively in contemporary academic life. On 22nd June 1983, he received an honorary doctorate from the Jagiellonian University. The ceremony took place in the ancient Collegium Maius.