A miracle attributed to John Paul I allows for his beatification, Vatican announces

Vatican City – (13/10/2021 11:15, Gaudium Press) Francis has authorized the beatification of Pope John-Paul I. The fact comes about thanks to miraculous healing attributed to his intercession.

Pope Francis approved the decree that recognizes the miracle attributed to the Pope of the smile after receiving this Wednesday the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro.

A Miraculous Cure

The miracle attributed happened in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An 11-year-old girl presented severe acute inflammatory encephalopathy, a malignant refractory epileptic disease and septic shock, along with pneumonia. The Doctors treating her gave up hope.

Faced with this terminal condition, the parish priest of the hospital took the initiative to invoke the intercession of the late Pontiff. The family and the hospital staff united in prayer, and in the following days, the girl’s clinical picture improved to the point that she left the hospital cured.

Requirements for a Beatification

The beatification process of John-Paul I, on hold since 2015, was reopened in 2017 when Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtues of John-Paul I.

However, beatification requires proof of a miracle. The beatification process can proceed once there is proof of the miracle attributed to the venerable, in this case Pope John-Paul I. The date of the beatification has not yet been set.

A Short Pontificate

Known as the ‘Pope of the smile‘, Cardinal Albino Luciani (1912-1978) was elected Supreme Pontiff on August 26, 1978. His pontificate lasted only 33 days, being one of the shortest pontificates in the history of the Church. A victim of a heart attack on September 28, the Pontiff was found dead in the morning. (FM)

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj