Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 26 August 1978
- Pope John Paul I had the shortest papacy during the past 400 years. In fact, he served as Pope for 33 days. The Catholic Church launched the beatification process of John Paul I (he is currently known as Servant of God).
On this day in 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani was elected Pope.
He took the name John Paul I and became the first pope in history who had two names. Pope John Paul I had the shortest papacy during the past 400 years. In fact, he served as Pope for 33 days. The Catholic Church launched the beatification process of John Paul I (he is currently known as Servant of God). However, about ten Popes had even shorter pontificates than John Paul I.
John Paul I was born as Albino Luciani in 1912. Forno di Canale was later renamed and became known as Canale d’Agordo, located in the Alps, not far from the famous mountain peak Marmolada (the highest peak of the impressive Italian Dolomites). The famous skiing resort Cortina d’Ampezzo is also located in its vicinity.
Before the election, Cardinal Luciani held the position of Patriarch of Venice.
John Paul I introduced significant innovations during his short pontificate. For example, he was known as the first Pope who didn’t want to hold the papal coronation, and the first who used the pronoun “I” instead of “we” when talking about himself. It is interesting to note that his motto was: “Humilitas” (“Humility”).
