Pope John Paul I
August 26, 1978 to September 28, 1978

Pope John Paul I was the one month pope. John Paul I assumed the papacy in August 1978 and was found dead just over one month later. His Italian name, of course, was Giovanni Paolo I. Himself Italian, he was born in 1912. John Paul I's brief reign as pope was near the shortest in papel history. The College of Cardinals was somewhat divided and many predicted that it would take the conclave some time to come to a decision. It took four ballots to elect Pope John Paul I. His chose the regnal name of John Paul and become the first two name pope in the history of the Vatican. He also was the first to use 'the first' in his name as Pope John Paul I. He rose to the papacy in the Vatican thanks to being appointed bishop by Pope John XXIII and cardinal by Pope Paul VI. Pope John Paul I immediately became known as the Smiling Pope

Many people immediately saw the pope as very relatable. Other than his "smiling" characteristic, Pope John Paul I was also the first pope in memory that admitted that the thought of being a pope was somewhat daunting. However, others at the Vatican grew worried that he lacked much more confidence than that. Rumors began circulating about his talking with his circle of friends saying that he was unfit to be pope. Of course his saying as pope was somewhat fitting, Humilitas. some within the Vatican began to deride Pope John Paul I as being intellectually subpar for the position.

Conspiracy? Learn about what some call the murder of Pope John Paul I