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  Pope John Paul I Scott 641-644 (1978) Pope John Paul I died on September 28, 1978. The event was shocking since he had been elected pope a short 33 days prior to his death and served as pope from August 26 through September 28. Despite its brevity, his pontificate is not the shortest. In fact, ten other papacies were shorter, with the reign of Pope Urban VII being the shortest. He died after just 13 days as pope, having served from September 15–27, 1590. Albino Luciani (1912-1978) was elected pope and took the name "John Paul", in honor of his two immediate predecessors. He succeeded Pope Paul VI, who had died on August 6, 1978, and would be succeeded by Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła of Poland, who would take the name Pope John Paul II. The year of 1978 has come to be know as the "Year of Three Popes". Luciani was born in Canale d’Agordo, Bulluno, Veneto and ordained a priest in 1935. He served as Bishop of Bulluno from 1958-1969 and then Patriarch of Venice from 1969-1978, He was appointed a cardinal by Paul VI and held the position of Cardinal-Priest of San Marco, a titular church built in 336. He published a catechism for children, as well as Illustrissimi, a book of imagery letters to famous historical people tied to religious and moral themes. Shortly after his election he announced six goals for the pontificate: renew the Church in light of the Second Vatican Council, reform Canon Law, preach the Gospel, promote unity of the Church without watering down doctrine, promote dialogue, and promote world peace and social justice. Following his election, he projected a more humble demeanor for his pontificate, as he refused to be crowned with a papal tiara (preferring to be installed with a pallium), and he did not use the raised chair (or sedia gestatoria), when moving through crowds. John Paul I was often referred to as ‘the smiling pope,’ which quickly endeared him to many during his short time as pope. Luciani had coronary issues prior to his election and, as pope, he seemed to tire easily. John Paul I died of a heart attack and was found dead in the early morning of 29 September. Earlier in the prior evening he experienced sharp chest pains, but a physician was not summoned. Pope John Paul I was raised to the title of 'Blessed' with his beatification on September 4, 2022, the event honored with this Vatican City stamp:  Beatification of Pope John Paul I Scott 1802 (2022) REFERENCES: |
