The Day of Pope John Paul II is observed in Poland on October 16 each year, commemorating the beginning of his papacy in 1978. This national holiday honors Pope John Paul II, a prominent Polish figure born on May 18, 1920, who served as pope until his death on April 2, 2005. The Polish government established this day to celebrate his contributions and legacy, reflecting national pride in his achievements. The observance includes various commemorative activities, allowing the Polish people to remember and honor one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. His papacy was notable for its global impact, and his funeral attracted over 300,000 attendees, with more than 2 billion people watching the broadcast worldwide.