On this day in 1978, Pope John Paul I died after 33 days as Pope. If he had known, do you think he would have taken out some term life insurance?

Pope John Paul I (Latin: Ioannes Paulus PP. I, Italian: Giovanni Paolo I), born Albino Luciani, (17 October 1912 – 28 September 1978), reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and as Sovereign of Vatican City from 26 August 1978 until his death 33 days later. His reign is among the shortest in papal history, resulting in the most recent Year of Three Popes. John Paul I was the first Pope born in the 20th century.

In Italy he is remembered with the affectionate appellatives of “Il Papa del sorriso” (“The smiling Pope”) and “Il sorriso di Dio” (“God’s smile”).

You can find out more about this day in history at Those Were The Days, and InfoPlease.

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