Religion · Literature · 1912–1978
Born: 17 October 1912 · Died: 28 September 1978 · Age at death: 65
John Paul I died aged 65. He was born on 17 October 1912 and died on 28 September 1978.
Italian pope known as the Smiling Pope, whose reign in 1978 lasted only 33 days, one of the shortest in history
Did you know?Known as the Smiling Pope, he was the first pontiff to choose a double name, honouring his two immediate predecessors.
Pope John Paul I is remembered as the "smiling pope". Albino Luciani was the son of a poor labourer in the mountains of northern Italy. He became a priest, a teacher and then Patriarch of Venice, known for his simple style and gift for explaining faith. Elected in August 1978, he became the first pope to take a double name, honouring his two predecessors. He refused a coronation. Just 33 days later he was found dead in his bed, which fuelled decades of conspiracy theories. He was beatified in 2022.
Pope John Paul I (born Albino Luciani; 17 October 1912 – 28 September 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 26 August 1978 until his death 33 days later. His reign is among the shortest in papal history, giving rise to the first year of three popes since 1605.
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Profile
Pope, 1912–1978
Albino Luciani was born in Canale d'Agordo on 17 October 1912.
He was Patriarch of Venice.
He was elected pope in August 1978.
He died on 28 September 1978.
Career highlights
Did you know?He was the first pope to take a double name.
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