Pope John Paul I

I recognize that today's date is rather insignificant regarding Pope John Paul I. I really do. And I don't mean to take away from the import of it for the USA. It is, after all, Pearl Harbor Day. We should memorialize and pray for those who lost their lives that day and because of that day.

So, just a few thoughts on Albino Luciani, Pope John Paul I. He, in his reignal name added "the first" which is effectively unheard of. He was the only pope to be both born in and to die in the 20th century. That's just interesting. He was known to have good cheer and to smile often. That's a good thing. Something which the quiet Benedict XVI also does a lot of.

There are conspiracy theories about his papal election, look into the Siri controversy if you're interested in that. Ultimately, Cardinal Siri acknowledged the legitimacy of Luciani's election so let's not waste time with this nonsense.

The fun conspiracy theories surround the reasons behind his short term as Roman Pontiff. These involve Masons in the Vatican, the pope as a heavy smoker, which I read recently he was not a tobacco user. I think I heard something about that he was going to ban tobacco and that the Italians that are all over the Vatican simply could not abide that and had him killed. It's all silly and can be chalked up to conjecture and guesswork.

Ultimately, he was a holy man who loved Jesus and His Church. We should look to his smiling as a disposition of joy that we should all pursue in the Christian life. Let's not get hung up on these controversies, let's look to what we know and appreciate that. Also, if you come across his writings, it seems, you will find much worth reading.