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Reuters
Reuters
World
By Philip Pullella

John Paul I, 'Smiling Pope' for a month, moves towards sainthood

Pope Francis attends a mass for the beatification of Pope John Paul I, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, September 4, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Pope John Paul I, who died in 1978 after only 33 days as pontiff, moved closer to sainthood on Sunday with the Vatican still having to dismiss lingering conspiracy theories that he was a victim of foul play.

Pope Francis beatified his predecessor at a ceremony in St. Peter's Square before tens of thousands of people. Beatification is the last step before sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church.

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