beatification
Pope Francis beatified Pope John Paul I (1978) on Sunday. He was a person who resisted the temptation to “put himself at the center and seek his own glory”, the head of the Church recalled in his sermon on the “33-day Pope”.
04.09.2022 13.51
Online since today, 1:51 pm
Despite heavy rains and thunderstorms, around 25,000 people attended the beatification in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis described him as “a meek and humble shepherd, following the example of Jesus”.
With his smile he managed to “transmit the goodness of the Lord”. A church “with a happy, relaxed and smiling face” is beautiful, the Pope explained. A Church that “never closes its doors, that does not anger hearts, that does not complain and hold grudges, that does not get angry and intolerant, that does not show itself in a bad mood, that does not suffer from nostalgia for the past”.
Miracle performed by John Paul I officially recognized
Elected on August 26, 1978, John Paul I held office for only 33 days before his sudden death on September 28, 1978. Albino Luciani, born in Canale d’Agordo, northern Italy, in 1912, joined the the history of the Church as the “Pope of the 33 days”. He was succeeded by John Paul II (1978-2005). The “smiling” pope fascinated by his popular speeches and his victorious gestures. Theologically, he remained entirely in the tradition of his predecessors.
A Luciani beatification process was launched in 2003. Last October, Pope Francis officially recognized a miracle performed by John Paul I in 2011, paving the way for beatification.
Humble Albino Luciani
On the eve of the beatification, Cardinal Vicar Angelo De Donatis also remembered a humble albino Luciani in the Lateran Basilica. But his humility never meant underestimating himself. Rather, it was the acceptance of “one’s own smallness,” a trust “entirely in God and not in one’s own strength.” Dedicating himself to others “simply and gratuitously”, this “authentic humility” ran like a “red thread” through “the entire existence of Pope John Paul I”.
The beatification will be followed on 11 September by a service of thanksgiving in Luciani’s hometown of Canale d’Agordo. The feast of the new Blessed will be celebrated on August 26, the day of Luciani’s papal election.
Beatification of John Paul I
On August 26, 1978, Albino Luciani was elected Pope. Just 33 days later, the “smiling pope” was dead. On September 4, John Paul I was beatified in Rome during a service with Pope Francis.
AD | Beatification of John Paul I with audio description
AD | On August 26, 1978, Albino Luciani was elected Pope. Just 33 days later, the “smiling pope” was dead. On September 4, John Paul I was beatified in Rome during a service with Pope Francis.