Although his was one of the shortest papacies in history, Pope John Paul left a lasting impression as ‘the smiling pope’
Pope Francis recognised that Pope John Paul I, who served only 33 days as pope, lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way.
The Vatican announced Pope Francis’ decision on 9 November. It marks the first major step on the path to sainthood for the pope who died in 1978 at the age of 65, shocking the world and a church that had just mourned the death of Blessed Paul VI.
Pope Francis would have to recognise a miracle attributed to the late pope’s intercession in order for him to be beatified, the next step toward sainthood. A second miracle would be needed for canonisation.
Stefania Falasca, vice postulator of Pope John Paul’s sainthood cause, said one “presumed extraordinary healing” had already been investigated by a diocese and a second possibility is being studied, but the Vatican does not begin its investigations until a sainthood candidate is declared venerable.
Pope Francis recognised that Pope John Paul I, who served only 33 days as pope, lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way.More: The Tablet
I am sure there is a particular significance of John Paul for the LGBT community or you would not have posted it, But I am not familiar with the context …
Apologies for the delay in responding.
My interest in John Paul I is that there have been numerous suggestions that he may have been the first “gay” pope, or at least the first to spoken up for pastoral support for gay couples – either by way of permitting adoption by gay couples, or even for some form of recognition for same-sex unions.
These claims have of course been fiercely contested. They have in the past been recorded on Wikipedia, but have also been removed. WP at present includes only a single entry on JP I and homosexuality, stating that he upheld the traditional line on sexuality, “A sexuality that is worthy of man must be a part of love for a person of a different sex with the added commitments of fidelity and indissolubility.” I have no way of knowing whether the WP verdict is a result of right-wing censorship of an uncomfortable fact, or whether the claims were simply false.
My original source came from Jayden Cameron at “The Gay Mystic” –