Pope John Paul I

Just 33 days into his papacy, Pope John Paul I passed away on September 28, 1978. He was found dead in his bed on the following morning. According to a doctor, he probably died of a sudden heart attack.

His funeral was held in Saint Peter's Square on October 4, 1978. He was laid to rest in the Vatican grottoes. He was succeeded by Cardinal Karol Jozef Wojtyła who took on the same name, Pope John Paul II.

His successors looked upon him as a gentle soul with a heart filled with love. While his immediate successor Cardinal Karol Wojtyła spoke of his values of faith, hope and love, Benedict XVI commented that it was due to his virtues that despite holding papacy for just 33 days, he was able to win the people’s hearts. His humility made him distinct and approachable.

Pope John Paul I was born as Albino Luciani on October 17, 1912, in Forno di Canale, North Italy to Giovanni Luciani and Bortola Tancon. He had three younger siblings, two brothers and a sister. Luciani was baptised the same day of his birth.

When he was ten, Luciani attended the talks of a Capuchin friar who preached the Lenten sermons. The event had such a deep impact and influence on the young boy that he decided to become a priest someday. Despite being ‘too vivacious’ for the services, he started attending the seminary.

On July 7, 1935, Luciani was ordained a priest. He served at his hometown and progressed to becoming a Professor and Vice-Rector in 1937. He taught dogmatic and moral theology, canon law, and sacred art. He started pursuing his PhD in Sacred Theology in 1941, eventually gaining it in 1947 from Pontifical Gregorian University.

After receiving his doctorate, Luciani was named Chancellor to Bishop Girolamo Bortignon. He was nominated for the position of Bishop several times but his poor health came in the way. Finally, on December 15, 1958 Luciani was appointed Bishop of Vittorio Veneto by Pope John XXIII.

Vowing to serve as a teacher and a servant, Luciani took up Humilitas (Humility) as his episcopal motto. It remained with him upon his appointment as the Pope as well. He took possession of the diocese on January 11, 1959. In 1966, he visited Burundi in East Africa to serve the people therein.

In December 1969, Luciani was appointed as the new Patriarch of Venice by then Pope Paul VI. As a Patriarch of Venice, Luciani travelled frequently to Germany and Brazil. In 1971, he was invited to the Synod of Bishops held in Rome. In the congregation, he advocated the need of helping Third World nations by donating one percent of the total income by the developed countries of the world. In March 1973, Pope Paul VI appointed Luciani as the Cardinal-Priest of San Marco.

Luciani was a strong supporter of the theory of simple living and humble thinking. In 1976, he sold a gold cross for raising money for spastic children. While some were critical of his act, in the broader light, he was seen as a dutiful servant and a moralistic leader who believed in making life precious instead of preserving valuables.

He even advocated selling of gold that the churches had so as to help handicapped children. Time and again, Luciani set up family counselling clinics to help the poor deal with marital, financial and sexual problems.

Pope John Paul I is best remembered as the “Smiling Pope” for his warm disposition, friendly nature, and the smile that he often displayed in public. Despite his papal tenure lasting for merely 33 days, he left an eternal impression on the hearts of the people with his warmth, love, humility, modesty, simplicity and his zeal to work for the betterment of the society. His friendly disposition and approachability made him distinct.