Final answer:
Pope John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyła, served as an altar boy in his youth and faced significant personal loss, with his mother's death at age 9 and his brother's death at age 12, which shaped his later spiritual life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two facts about Pope John Paul II's early life are: firstly, he was born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920. As a child, he was very religious and was an altar boy by a young age. Secondly, John Paul II's life was marked by personal loss, including the death of his mother when he was only nine years old, followed by the death of his older brother when he was twelve. These early experiences influenced his spiritual development and his pastoral sensitivity in later life.