I don’t recommend the practice, but it’s apparently common in some parts of Europe and no disrespect is intended. I’m not sure why “we” seem to be seeing it more with B16 than we did with JPII.
Probably because he was far better known as the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith before he became Pope, than JPII was as Bishop of Cracow.
Italian journalists used to often refer to PJP as Pope Wojtyla, without sarcasm.
I tend to think we see it more with Pope Benedict than with Pope John Paul II is because we knew Benedict as Ratzinger for such a long time. He was “someone” before he became pope. AND, the name Ratzinger instills fear in unorthodox, liberal Catholics.
That’s just my take on it...
:o)