According to Vatican records, John Paul has reigned longer than any other pope except Pius IX, who served for 31 years between 1846 and 1878. The reign of St. Peter, the first pope, is believed to have been longer, but the dates are not documented.
In contrast to last year's gala celebrations of his quarter-century in office, which included a twilight Mass at the exact hour of John Paul's election, a consistory to create new cardinals and the beatification of Mother Teresa, the 26th anniversary is a low-key event.
The Red Army Chorus will give a concert in the pope's honor in the Paul VI Audience Hall on Friday night, but Saturday will be a regular working day.
John Paul has been promised at least one 26th anniversary present, however -- a 1:5 scale model of the fire-engine red Ferrari F2004 Formula 1 racer that is in line to win both the constructors' and drivers' championships again this year.
Luca Cordero, president of Ferrari, Fiat and the Italian organization of industrialists, said he thought of the present because he remembered seeing the pope drive a Ferrari convertible one lap around the Fiorano test track in northern Italy on a visit to the Ferrari establishment in 1989.
