By Currents News
Sept. 4, 2022 — it was the day John Paul I was beatified. The Roman sky roared that morning at the beginning of the celebration.
But despite this, the faithful did not disperse. They waited to proclaim a new Blessed for the Church.
He was the 263rd pope, the last of Italian nationality to date.
His pontificate lasted only 33 days, the fourth shortest in history. However, it was long enough to earn him the nickname “The Smiling Pope.”
He presided over only four general audiences. His memory is celebrated every Aug. 26, the same day he became the successor of Peter.
He chose his name in honor of his predecessors: John XXIII and Paul VI. Regarding his successors, both Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI praised him. Pope Francis, during his beatification, was also not far behind.
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“Brothers and sisters, this is how the new Blessed lived: in the joy of the Gospel, without compromise, loving to the end,” Pope Francis said. “He embodied the poverty of the disciple, which is not only detachment from material goods, but above all overcoming the temptation to put oneself first and seek one’s own glory.”
The end of the beatification ceremony made this clear. After the storm, the umbrellas disappeared and the sun flooded St. Peter’s Square. The atmosphere felt like a new blessed pope was “born” in the Catholic Church.