07/11/2025
This is a big Mystery. He lasted only 33 days as Pope. He died in the middle of the night.
On August 26, 1978, Albino Luciani was chosen to be Pope. He took the name John Paul I to honor the two popes who came before him. His election surprised many people because he wasn’t part of the usual Vatican leadership. He was known for being friendly, humble, and close to ordinary people. In just 33 days, he won the love of the world.
People called him the "Pope of the Smile" because of his warm and kind way. He didn’t like all the fancy traditions. He spoke in a simple way that everyone could understand and dreamed of a Church that was more modest and closer to the people.
John Paul I also had serious plans. He wanted to reform the Vatican’s bank, known as the Institute of Religious Works. He planned to review suspicious appointments inside the Church and to open up discussions that had been closed off for years.
Sadly, on September 28, 1978 — just 33 days after becoming Pope — he was found dead in his bed. He was only 65 years old. Officials said he had died of a heart attack.
However, something strange happened: no autopsy was ever performed.
In the first 24 hours after his death, different versions of events came out. There was confusion about who found him, at what time, and what happened to the glass of water and the papers that had been on his bedside table. Even today, there is no agreement on these details.
Many researchers believe his death was not just a coincidence. Luciani had been investigating corruption inside the Church. He had asked certain powerful people to resign, and he had a list of names linked to financial scandals. He was planning big changes at the Vatican Bank, which could have upset many influential figures.
One writer, David Yallop, even claimed that John Paul I was murdered. While there was no hard evidence, there were many signs suggesting something wasn’t right. Other journalists and even some retired Church leaders have also hinted that he may have died because he knew too much.
The Vatican acted very quickly after his death. His body was embalmed within hours, his personal belongings were removed immediately, and officials closed ranks to avoid further questions. Everything happened so fast that people barely had time to process their grief or doubts.
Soon after, something even stranger occurred. Less than two months later, a new Pope, John Paul II, was elected. Shortly after that, the Vatican Bank scandal became public, involving disappearances and massive corruption. John Paul I was no longer there to reveal what he knew.
Even today, there is no solid proof that he was murdered, but there is also no clear or consistent explanation for his death. His time as Pope was extremely short, but his message and example were powerful enough to make some people very uncomfortable.
In 2022, Pope Francis beatified John Paul I, officially recognizing his holy life. For many, this was also a way to heal the wound left by his sudden and mysterious death.
Luciani showed that true leadership doesn’t require shouting or grand displays. It requires honesty, simplicity, and the courage to speak the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
Many still believe he was the Pope who could have changed everything. Perhaps that is why his time as Pope was the shortest of the 20th century.
In the end, his story is not just about the Vatican. It is about power, integrity, and what can happen when someone dares to shine a light into places where others prefer darkness.
