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[[File:Joannes paulus I.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Pope John Paul I (Albino Luciani).]]
Pope '''John Paul I''' ({{la icon}}: ''Ioannes Paulus PP. I'', {{it icon}}: ''Giovanni Paolo I''), born '''Albino Luciani''' (17 October 1912 – [[September 28|28 September]] 1978), reigned as [[Pope]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and as Sovereign of Vatican City from [[August 26 August ]], 1978 until his death 33 days later. His reign is among the shortest in papal history, resulting in the most recent [[w:Year of Three Popes|Year of Three Popes]]. John Paul I was the first Pope to be born in the 20th century and the last Pope to die in it.
In [[Archdiocese of Italy and Malta|Italy]] he is remembered with the appellatives of "Il Papa del Sorriso" (''The Smiling Pope'')<ref name=Lauretta>Raymond and Lauretta. ''The Smiling Pope, The Life & Teaching of John Paul I.'' Our Sunday Visitor Press, 2004.</ref> and "Il Sorriso di Dio" (''The smile of God'').<ref>[http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0891862/combined Papa Luciani: Il sorriso di Dio] (Pope Luciani: The Smile of God). Radiotelevisione Italia 2006 documentary.</ref> ''Time'' magazine and other publications referred to him as ''The September Pope.''<ref>Time (Cover Story). ''[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,919865,00.html The September Pope].'' Monday, 9 Oct 1978. Retrieved: 20 August 2012.</ref>
===Early Years===
[[File:Casa Natale Luciani.jpg|left|thumb|Birthplace at Via XX Agosto.]]
Albino Luciani was born on [[October 17 October ]], 1912 in [[w:Canale d'Agordo|Forno di Canale]] (now Canale d'Agordo) in [[w:Province of Belluno|Belluno]], a province of the [[w:Veneto|Veneto]] region in Northern Italy. He was the son of Giovanni Luciani (1872?–1952), a bricklayer, and Bortola Tancon (1879?–1948). Albino was followed by two brothers, Federico (1915–1916) and Edoardo (1917–2008), and a sister, Antonia (1920–2009).
Luciani entered the [[w:Minor seminary|minor seminary]] of [[w:Feltre|Feltre]] in 1923, where his teachers found him "too lively", and later went on to the [[List of seminaries and theological schools|major seminary]] of Belluno. During his stay at Belluno, he attempted to join the [[w:Society of Jesus|Jesuits]], but was denied by the seminary's rector, Bishop [[w:Giosuè Cattarossi|Giosuè Cattarossi]].<ref group="note">[[w:David Yallop|Yallop, David]] (1985). ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=xQYuAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y In God's name: an investigation into the murder of Pope John Paul I].'' p.16, quotation:<br>
<blockquote>So strongly did the writings of Couwase ([[w:Jean Pierre de Caussade|Jean Pierre de Caussade]]) influence him that Luciani began to think seriously of becoming a Jesuit. He watched as first one, then a second, of his close friends went to the rector, Bishop Giouse Cattarossi, and asked for permission to join the Jesuit order. In both instances the permission was granted. Luciani went and asked for permission. The bishop considered the request, then responded, "No, three is one too many. You had better stay here."</blockquote></ref>
[[Ordination|Ordained]] a [[Presbyter|priest]] on [[July 7 July ]], 1935, Luciani then served as a [[w:Curate|curate]] in his native Forno de Canale before becoming a professor and the vice-rector of the Belluno seminary in 1937. Among the different subjects, he taught [[dogma]]tic and moral theology, [[Canon law]] and sacred art.
In 1941, Luciani began to seek a [[w:Licentiate of Sacred Theology|doctorate in theology]] from the [[w:Pontifical Gregorian University|Pontifical Gregorian University]], which required at least one year's attendance in Rome. However, the seminary's superiors wanted him to continue teaching during his doctoral studies; the situation was resolved by a special [[w:Dispensation (Catholic Church)|dispensation]] of [[w:Pope Pius XII|Pope Pius XII]] himself, on [[March 27 March ]], 1941. His thesis (''The origin of the human soul according to [[w:Antonio Rosmini-Serbati|Antonio Rosmini]]'') largely attacked Rosmini's theology, and earned him his doctorate ''[[w:Latin honors|magna cum laude]]''.
In 1947, he was named [[Protosyngellos|vicar general]] to Bishop [[w:Girolamo Bortignon|Girolamo Bortignon]], [[w:Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|OFM Cap]], of Belluno. Two years later, in 1949, he was placed in charge of diocesan [[Catechumen|catechetics]].
On [[December 15 December ]], 1958, Luciani was appointed [[w:Roman Catholic Diocese of Vittorio Veneto|Bishop of Vittorio Veneto]] by [[w:Pope John XXIII|Pope John XXIII]]. He received his [[Consecration of a bishop|episcopal consecration]] on the following [[December 27 of December ]], from Pope John himself, with Bishops Bortignon and [[w:Gioacchino Muccin|Gioacchino Muccin]] serving as co-consecrators. As a bishop, he participated in all the sessions of the [[w:Second Vatican Council|Second Vatican Council]] (1962–1965).
On [[December 15 December ]], 1969, he was appointed [[w:Patriarch of Venice|Patriarch of Venice]] by Pope [[Paul VI of Rome|Paul VI]] and took possession of the [[Archdiocese]] on [[February 3 February ]], 1970. Pope Paul created Luciani [[w:Cardinal-Priest#Cardinal_priest|Cardinal-Priest]] of ''[[w:San Marco, Rome|San Marco, Rome]]'' in the [[w:Consistory|consistory]] on [[March 5 March ]], 1973. Catholics were struck by his [[humility]], a prime example being his embarrassment when Paul VI once removed his papal [[stole]] and put it on Patriarch Luciani. He recalls the occasion in his first Angelus thus:<ref name=ANGELUS1>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_i/angelus/documents/hf_jp-i_ang_27081978_en.html "FIRST ANGELUS ADDRESS, Pope John Paul I"]. [[w:Vatican Publishing House|Libreria Editrice Vaticana]]. 27 August 1978. Retrieved 20 August 2012.</ref>
<blockquote>Pope Paul VI made me blush to the roots of my hair in the presence of 20,000 people, because he removed his stole and placed it on my shoulders. Never have I blushed so much!</blockquote>
He was the first pope to choose an "investiture" to commence his papacy rather than the traditional papal coronation.
One of his remarks, reported in the press, was that God "is our father; even more he is our mother,"<ref name=ANGELUS2>''"[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_i/angelus/documents/hf_jp-i_ang_10091978_en.html Angelus Address]".'' Vatican official website. 10 September 1978. Retrieved: May 20, 2012.</ref><ref>Edward Magri. ''"[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IZwcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g2cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7022,6541738&dq=see+god+father+mother+pope-john-paul&hl=en Pontiff's Activities Summarized: Pope's Popularity Was Immediate]."'' Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Google News). Sat. September 30, 1978. Pg.5-A. Retrieved: August 20, 2012.</ref> referring to [[Isaiah]] 49:14–15, which compares God to a mother who will never forget her child Zion. The comment appeared in his [[September 10 September ]] ''[[w:Angelus|Angelus]]'' address, which urged prayer for the upcoming [[w:Camp David Accords|Camp David Accords]].<ref name="ANGELUS2"/>
=====Encyclical on Devolution=====
=====Moral theology=====
The moral theology of John Paul I has been openly debated due to his interpretation of [[w:Humanae Vitae|Humanae Vitae]].<ref group="note">An encyclical written by [[Paul VI of Rome|Pope Paul VI]] and issued on [[July 25 July ]], 1968.</ref> According to journalist John L. Allen "John Paul I would not have insisted upon the negative judgment in [[w:Humanae Vitae|Humanae Vitae]] as aggressively and publicly as [[John Paul II]], and probably would not have treated it as a quasi-infallible teaching."<ref>John L. Allen Jr. ''"[http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/word090503.htm The battle over "theology of pluralism"; Pope John Paul I and the pill; keeping an eye on the conclave; Archbishop Denis Hurley reminisces about Vatican II]".'' National Catholic Reporter - The Word from Rome. September 5, 2003. Retrieved August 20, 2012.</ref><ref>Kay Withers. ''"Pope John Paul I and Birth Control."'' America. March 24, 1979. pp.233–34.</ref>
However, others have argued, "Luciani was intransigent with his upholding of the teaching of the Church and severe with those, who through intellectual pride and disobedience paid no attention to the Church's prohibition of contraception", though while not condoning the [[sin]], he was tolerant of those who sincerely tried and failed to live up to the Church's teaching."<ref name="Lauretta"/>
:* Quoted in Raymond Seabeck. ''The Smiling Pope, The Life and Teaching of John Paul I.'' Our Sunday Visitor Press, 2004. p.65.</ref>
John Paul was the first pope to admit that the prospect of the papacy had daunted him to the point that other cardinals had to encourage him to accept it. He refused to have the millennium-old traditional [[w:Papal coronation|Papal Coronation]] and wear the [[w:Papal tiara|Papal Tiara]].<ref>Romano Pontifici Eligendo. ''Paul VI's Apostolic Constitution on the election on the pontiff - Section 92.'' 1975.</ref> He instead chose to have a simplified [[w:Papal inauguration|Papal Inauguration Mass]]. John Paul I used as his motto ''[[Humility|Humilitas]].'' In his notable ''Angelus'' of [[August 27 August ]], 1978 (delivered on the first full day of his papacy) he impressed the world with his natural friendliness.<ref name=ANGELUS1/>
===Death===
[[File:Tomb of pope Johannes Paulus I.jpg|right|thumb|Tomb of John Paul I in the Vatican Grottoes.]]
John Paul I was found dead sitting up in his bed shortly before dawn on [[September 29 September ]], 1978,<ref>NBC Radio News announces Pope John Paul I Death (In RealAudio).</ref> just 33 days into his papacy. The Vatican reported that the 65-year-old pope most likely died the previous night of a heart attack.
It has been claimed that the Vatican altered some of the details of the discovery of the death to avoid possible unseemliness<ref>''"[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/613208502.html?dids=613208502:613208502&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+07%2C+1978&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Evidence+of+foul+play+in+Pope+death+claimed&pqatl=google Evidence of foul play in Pope death claimed]".'' Chicago Tribune. 7 October 1978. Retrieved: August 20, 2012.</ref><ref>''"[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0872605057EA5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM BISHOP TELLS STORY OF POPE JOHN PAUL I'S DEATH HE DEBUNKS CONSPIRACY THEORY, BUTS SAYS VATICAN ALTERED SOME DETAILS]".'' St. Louis Dispatch. 11 October 1998. Retrieved: August 20, 2012.</ref> in that he was discovered by Sister Vincenza, a nun.<ref>''"[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=roIlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I_UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2820,1967300&dq=sister+vincenza+john+paul+i&hl=en Foul Play Suspected in Pope's Death?]".'' Baltimore Afro-American. 10 October 1978. Retrieved: August 20, 2012.</ref>
The process of canonisation formally began in 1990 with the petition by 226 Brazilian bishops, including four cardinals.
On [[August 26 August ]], 2002, Bishop Vincenzo Savio announced the start of the preliminary phase to collect documents and testimonies necessary to start the process of [[Glorification|canonisation]]. On [[June 8 June ]], 2003 the [[w:Congregation for the Causes of Saints|Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] gave its assent to the work. On [[November 23 November]], the process formally opened in the Cathedral Basilica of [[w:Belluno|Belluno]] with Cardinal [[w:José Saraiva Martins|José Saraiva Martins]] in charge.<ref>{{it icon}} Congregation for the Causes of Saints. ''[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20031123_papa-luciani_it.html Solemn Opening of the Cause for Canonization of the Servant of God, Albino Luciani, Pope John Paul I].'' 23 November 2003. Retrieved: August 20, 2012.</ref><ref>UPI.com ''[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2006/11/12/John-Paul-I-on-sainthood-track/UPI-81341163314624/ John Paul I on Sainthood Track].'' United Press International, Nov 12, 2006. Retrieved: August 20, 2012.</ref>
The Diocesan inquiry subsequently concluded on [[November 11 November ]], 2006 at Belluno. In June 2009, the Vatican began the "Roman" phase of the beatification process for John Paul I, drawing upon the testimony of Giuseppe Denora di Altamura who claimed to have been cured of cancer. An official investigation into the alleged miracle is now under way.<ref>Edward Pentin. ''[http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/jpi_miracle_goes_to_rome John Paul I's Miracle Goes to Rome].'' National Catholic Register, June 08, 2009. Retrieved: August 20, 2012.</ref> For Luciani to be [[w:Beatification|beatified]], the investigators have to certify at least one [[miracle]]. For [[Glorification|canonisation]] there must be a second miracle, though the reigning pope may waive these requirements altogether, as is often done in the case of beatified popes.<ref>''[http://www.catholic-pages.com/saints/explained.asp What Is a Saint?]'' Catholic-Pages.com. JUL 29, 1997.</ref>
==As Author==
* Portuguese author Luis Miguel Rocha's 2008 fiction book ''[[w:The Last Pope|The Last Pope]]'' claims that John Paul I was assassinated.
* On 11 October 2008, [[w:BBC Radio 4|BBC Radio 4]] broadcast ''Conclave'' by [[w:Hugh Costello|Hugh Costello]] as part of the ''Saturday Play'' series, starring David Calder as Cardinal Franz Koenig, Allison Reid as Hannah Popper, Nicholas Le Prevost as Cardinal Giovanni Benelli and Andrew Hilton as Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (the future [[John Paul II]]). The play takes place after John Paul I's mysterious death, with the election of a new Pope taking place in an atmosphere of high tension between opposing factions within the Vatican (including those who want to elect the first non-Italian Pope for over four hundred years). The production was re-broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on [[February 25 February ]], 2011 as part of the ''Friday Play'' series.
==See also==
