International
16 October 1978
Pontificate of John Paul II
The Second Vatican Council contributed to erosion of the Catholic Church in Europe, but at the same time, to its revitalisation on other continents. The election of John Paul II to the Holy See in October 1978 initiated a new evangelical mission of the Church in the world, and the pope himself visited over 100 countries in the world, contributing to many social and political changes, including weakening of the Soviet empire.