Faith and Mission 

Beatification of Pope John Paul I

In Rome, at the Vatican, on Sunday 4 September 2022, Pope Francis Beatified Pope John Paul I.

Famously, Albino Luciani who, until his election as Pope in 1978 was the Patriarch of Venice, led the See of Peter for only 33 days.  The entire world mourned the loss of this “Smiling Pope” and with his death we saw the death of so much potential and goodness for our Church.  Much like what we are experiencing at the moment with the death of Queen Elizabeth II, John Paul I’s death caused profound sorrow.

As the Church, locally, nationally and internationally continues to grapple with the problems and questions of the day, let’s call to mind John Paul I and ask him to pray for us so that the Church of collaboration, communion and unity that Pope Francis dares us to dream of may become a reality. 

Let’s pray, too, that the attitude of the “Smiling Pope” – his compassion, living the Gospel and joy in the faith that he expressed may be the attitude of us all in all we say and do in this life.

The following link provides a short biography of Albino Luciani, Pope John Paul I:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=u38sgMffe5k&feature=share

We pray:

God our Father,

in your wise and loving care you made your servant,

John Paul, Pope and teacher of all your Church.

He did the work of Christ on earth.

May your Son welcome him to eternal glory.

May your servant whom you appointed High Priest of your flock

be counted now among the priests in the life of your kingdom.

Amen.