Pope John Paul I: archival research clarifies legacy and death

Nearly half a century after the death of Pope John Paul I, historical research and the opening of Vatican archives are providing new clarity regarding the brief pontificate of Albino Luciani.

On September 28, 1978, after only 33 days in office, the Pope was found dead in his quarters at the Apostolic Palace. While official records attributed his death to an acute myocardial infarction, the suddenness of the event and the lack of an autopsy fueled decades of speculation and mystery.

Stefania Falasca, Vice President of the Vatican John Paul I Foundation, notes that extensive archival work conducted between 2003 and 2017 has allowed for a systematic reconstruction of his life and theological thought. This research aims to move beyond anecdotal accounts and conspiracy theories, offering a biography based on direct documentary evidence.