Pope John Paul I

 We are talking a lot about Popes this month. But that is the result of me reliving my trip to Rome. Rome is the home of Popes, so I saw a lot of places and items associated with the Popes. Our Blessed for today is one that many of you will remember.

Pope John Paul I began life as Albino Luciani. He was born in the region of Veneto, Italy in 1912. Upon the death of Pope Paul VI in 1978, a papal conclave was called to elect the next pope. Before the conclave, Cardinal Luciani expressed his desire not to be elected. He even said that he would decline if elected. However, once elected, he felt obligated to say yes.

He was the first pope to have a double name, choosing "John Paul" in honor of his two immediate predecessors. He was also the first pope to add "the First" to his name. When he was told that such a title as "the first" was not granted until there was a second by that name, he reportedly said, "I will be here only a short time. The second is coming." 

During his brief pontificate, John Paul I did not have time to travel, canonize saints or implement many policies, but he did impress people with his personal warmth, gentleness and kindness. He was a skilled orator and writer. The image that most people remember is "the smiling Pope." 

On September 29, 1978, what would have been the 35th day of his pontificate, John Paul I was found dead in his bed with reading material and the lamp still lit. He had probably suffered a heart attack. He was beatified in 2022 by Pope Francis. 

I don't usually editorialize, but here's my personal thoughts on why JPI had such a short pontificate - I think that in the conclave of August 1978, the Holy Spirit was urging the Cardinals to elect the Polish Cardinal. But after centuries of only Italian Popes, they couldn't see their way to electing a non-Italian. The Holy Spirit said, "Really good choice, but not what I was going for. Try again." 

Pope John Paul I's feast day is August 26, the anniversary of the beginning of his papacy. He is a patron saint of Catechists. Blessed John Paul I, pray for us.