A 2020 zero euro banknote dedicated to pope John Paul II

Born on May 18th 1920, son of a military father and a school teacher mother, he was strongly marked by the Second World War and then by the occupation of his country by Soviet troops.

During his pontificate, he had shown broad support for the “Solidarity” trade union and his official visits to Poland always generated mass gatherings. He had contributed considerably to the erosion of the Eastern bloc.
His last official statement was made in January 2003 in front of the official diplomatic representations to the Holy See. On that occasion he affirmed his opposition concerning the war in Iraq.
He declared “No to war! It is never inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity”.

Karol Wojtyla would have been 100 years old in 2020. On this occasion, a zero euro banknote is issued by EBM.