Pope John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła, was pope for almost 27 years, from October 16, 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope since the 16th century. His early reign was marked by his opposition to communism, and he is often credited as one of the forces which brought about the fall of the Soviet Union. His papacy is remembered by his ecumenical approach to accommodate other Christian sects as well as to forge a better understanding with the Islamic world.