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‘Crushed’ by 2 papacies, John Paul I’s death eclipsed life

Italian Journalist and vice postulator of the Cause for the canonization of Pope John Paul I, Stefania Falasca sits in front of an archive containing documents, letters, and writings belonging to the late Pope John Paul I during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. John Paul I is widely recalled not so much for his life but for the murky circumstances of his abrupt death, 33 days after being elected pontiff in 1978. Today admirers of the so-called "smiling pope" are using his approaching beatification to focus on the accomplishments of the pope instead of the intrigue surrounding his demise at age 65 which spawned best-sellers alleging he was poisoned or his health was neglected by detractors in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Italian Journalist and vice postulator of the Cause for the canonization of John Paul I, Stefania Falasca sits in front of an archive containing documents, letters, and writings belonging to the late Pope John Paul I during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. John Paul I is widely recalled not so much for his life but for the murky circumstances of his abrupt death, 33 days after being elected pontiff in 1978. Today admirers of the so-called "smiling pope" are using his approaching beatification to focus on the accomplishments of the pope instead of the intrigue surrounding his demise at age 65 which spawned best-sellers alleging he was poisoned or his health was neglected by detractors in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Italian Journalist and vice postulator of the Cause for the canonization of Pope John Paul I, Stefania Falasca sits in front of an archive containing documents, letters, and writings belonging to the late John Paul I during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. John Paul I is widely recalled not so much for his life but for the murky circumstances of his abrupt death, 33 days after being elected pontiff in 1978. Today admirers of the so-called "smiling pope" are using his approaching beatification to focus on the accomplishments of the pope instead of the intrigue surrounding his demise at age 65 which spawned best-sellers alleging he was poisoned or his health was neglected by detractors in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pictures of Pope John Paul I, left, and Pope Francis, sit behind a door of an office where documents and personal letters and writings belonging to the late John Paul I are kept at the Vatican, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. John Paul I is widely recalled not so much for his life but for the murky circumstances of his abrupt death, 33 days after being elected pontiff in 1978. Today admirers of the so-called "smiling pope" are using his approaching beatification to focus on the accomplishments of the pope instead of the intrigue surrounding his demise at age 65 which spawned best-sellers alleging he was poisoned or his health was neglected by detractors in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A document signed, top right, by late Pope John Paul I, Albino Luciani, when he was a cardinal is shown by Italian journalist and vice postulator of the Cause for the canonization of John Paul I, Stefania Falasca during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Today admirers of the so-called "smiling pope" are using his approaching beatification to focus on the accomplishments of the pope instead of the intrigue surrounding his demise at age 65 which spawned best-sellers alleging he was poisoned or his health was neglected by detractors in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Sabrina Sergi)

One of the personal agendas that belonged to Pope John Paul I is shown by Italian Journalist and vice postulator of the Cause for the canonization of Pope John Paul I, Stefania Falasca during an interview with The Associated Press at the Vatican, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Today admirers of the so-called "smiling pope" are using his approaching beatification to focus on the accomplishments of the pope instead of the intrigue surrounding his demise at age 65 which spawned best-sellers alleging he was poisoned or his health was neglected by detractors in the Vatican. (AP Photo/Sabrina Sergi)

Pope John Paul I smiles and waves as he is carried on a portable throne during his weekly general audience at The Vatican, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1978. This is the last public appearance of Pope John Paul I. He died in the early morning of Sept. 28 in Rome. On Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, Pope Francis will beatify John Paul I, the last formal step before on the path to possible sainthood. (AP Photo/Bruno Mosconi)

Pope John Paul I poses for a portrait in this undated 1978 file photo. On Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, Pope Francis will beatify John Paul I, the last formal step before on the path to possible sainthood. (AP Photo)

FILE - Pope Paul VI, left, waves to the crowd while Venice Patriarch Cardinal Albino Luciani points to a landmark as they ride in a motorboat in Venice, northern Italy. On Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, Pope Francis will beatify John Paul I, the last formal step before on the path to possible sainthood. (Ap Photo)

In this Saturday, Aug. 26, 1978 file photo, Pope John Paul I smiles as he appears at the central lodge of St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican soon after his election. On Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, Pope Francis will beatify John Paul I, the last formal step before on the path to possible sainthood. (AP Photo, File)

‘Crushed’ by 2 papacies, John Paul I’s death eclipsed life