Pope John Paul I will be a short one". On the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, protodeacon Cardinal Pericle Felici announced that the cardinals had elected Albino Luciani, Patriarch of Venice, who had chosen the name Pope John Paul I. It was the first time that a pope chose a double name. He later explained that the double name was taken to gratefully honour his two immediate predecessors: John XXIII, who had named him a bishop, and Paul VI, who had named him Patriarch of Venice and Cardinal. He was also the first pope to designate himself "the First" with the name. (Pope Francis,
Pope John Paul II Day was celebrated for the first time in 2001 but is not a day off from work. Since 2001, the Polish Catholic Church has celebrated Papal Day, a day of gratitude, communion with Pope John Paul II and the promotion of his teaching. It falls on the Sunday before October 16. The coordinator of the day is the Foundation Work of the New Millennium. On Papal Day, money is raised for scholarships for talented Polish youth from low-income and poor families. Pope John Paul II Day Pope John Paul II Day is a Polish festival celebrated every year on October 16.