Pope John Paul I
Centenary of His Birth

Pope John Paul I (Albino Luciani) was born 17 October 1912 in Forno di Canale in Belluno, a province of Veneto, Italy. He was ordained a priest in 1935 and in1958 appointed Bishop of Vittorio Veneto. He participated in all sessions of the Second Vatican Council and served as Patriarch of Venice in 1969 and created Cardinal of San Marco in 1973. Luciani was elected on the fourth ballot in 1978 in the conclave after the death of Pope Paul VI. He served from 28 August to 28 September (33 days) and died, most likely of a heart attack on 29 September 1978 at age 65. John Paul I was one of three popes to serve in 1978, the first to be installed by inauguration rather than by papal coronation. He refused a papal tiara and was the first pope to have a double name. A miniature sheet of six stamps was issued to commemorate the centenary of Pope John Paul I's birth. The miniature sheet displays the seated Pope along with the papal coat of arms as well as words from John Paul l's Angelus Blessing of 10 September 1978. A separate folder and a stamp and coin were issued along with the stamps. Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 1505 - 1505M Date Issued - 13 September 2012 Face Value - €0,75 Perforations - 14x14 Printing Process - Offset Printer - Printex (Malta) Max Printed - 1,200,000

(Source - Vatican Notes: Volume: 60 Issue: 354 Page: 4-6)