8Growing up in Poland just after the First World War, little Karol "Lolek" Wojtyla could hardly have imagined the amazing path his life would take. An actor, poet, philosopher, scholar, priest, and pope, Blessed John Paul II brought the Good News to people of every continent, encouraging them in the words of Jesus: "Be not afraid!" It is a message every child needs to hear as they try to be a true follower of Jesus.