Another step is soon to be taken in the path to canonisation of the “smiling pope”, John Paul I.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone announced that the position document for the beatification of Pope John Paul I will be submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the northern autumn.
This sets out the pros and cons for the case for beatification.
Cardinal Albino Luciani was elected pope on August 26, 1978.
He died after 33 days in office, prompting many conspiracy theories that he had been murdered.
One miracle has already been attributed to John Paul I’s intercession: the healing of Giuseppe Denora from a malignant stomach tumour in 1992.
John Paul I was declared a Servant of God by his successor in 2003.
The only 20th century popes who have not yet begun the process toward sainthood are Benedict XV and Pius XI.