Sunday marks Papal Day, an annual celebration that focuses on remembering and exploring the teachings of John Paul II, who was declared a saint less than a decade after his death.
This year’s Papal Day is being observed in Poland for the 24th time under the motto of "Saint John Paul II: The Gospel of Old Age and Suffering," according to the press office of the Polish Bishops' Conference.
Planned events include religious services at churches nationwide, community meetings and concerts, according to the Warsaw-based Dzieło Nowego Tysiąclecia (Work of the New Millennium) Foundation, which organizes the celebrations.
Papal Day is celebrated every year on the Sunday preceding the date Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyła was elected to the papacy and became Pope John Paul II.
A 1978 photograph of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyła during his first official public appearance as Pope John Paul II. Photo: PAP/EPA/MASSIMO CAPODANNO
John Paul II served as pope from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005.
He was the third longest-serving pontiff in history and was declared a saint in 2014.
Polish President Andrzej Duda has said that John Paul II was a pope of freedom and solidarity” and one of the most important figures of the 20th century.
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Source: IAR, dzielo.pl