PROCESS OF BEATIFICATION OF JOHN PAUL I OPENED

VATICAN CITY, NOV 25, 2003 (VIS) - On Sunday, November 23, the process of the beatification of Albino Luciani, John Paul I, was opened with a solemn liturgy in the cathedral of Belluno, Italy. John Paul I was pope for thirty-three days.

The ceremony was presided by Bishop Vincenzo Savio of Belluno-Feltre, Italy. Among those present were Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Bishop Alfredo Magarotto of Vittorio Veneto, a delegation from the patriarchate of Venice, as well as the deceased pope's brother, Berto, and several nieces and nephews.

Albino Luciani was born in 1912 in Forno di Canale, Italy, now known as Canale d'Agordo. He was ordained a priest in 1935 and was appointed bishop of Vittorio Veneto by Blessed John XXIII in 1958. In 1969, Paul VI appointed him as the patriarch of Venice and in 1973 he was created a cardinal. After the death of Paul VI, he participated in the conclave in which he was elected as the successor of Peter on August 26, 1978. On September 28, only 33 days after his election, he died.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints and the vicar of Rome approved the opening of the process for the beatification of John Paul I in the diocese of Belluno-Feltre in Northern Italy. The opening of the process did not take place in Rome due to the brevity of his pontificate, unlike those of his predecessors Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI. However, a part of the process will be celebrated in Rome as many of the people who knew him and worked with him reside in the capital.

In order for John Paul I to be beatified, the approval of a miracle received through his intercession is necessary. At that point, another miracle must be approved in order for canonization.
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