John Paul I’s papacy was as brief as it was bizarre. He spent just 33 days on the throne of St. Peter before dying suddenly, without an autopsy, and under a cloud of contradictions. It was 1978, and he was known as “The Smiling Pope” for his warmth and humility. But his vision for the Church—more transparent, more human, and ready to dig into the Vatican’s messier corners (like its very shady bank)—didn’t sit well with everyone.
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So, what really happened to John Paul I?
The Vatican said it was a heart attack. He died alone, in bed. But the mystery kicked in immediately: Who actually found his body? Was he wearing his glasses or not? Why was there no autopsy? Why did the official story change—multiple times—within days?
The inconsistencies fed a wave of theories that still haven’t been laid to rest. The most persistent? That he was poisoned for trying to clean house—starting with the Vatican Bank, a place long rumored to be steeped in corruption, money laundering, and ties to both the mafia and Freemasonry. Light stuff, obviously.
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One of the most cited books on the topic, In God’s Name by David Yallop, goes straight for it: John Paul I was murdered. His crime? Uncovering dark secrets that threatened powerful interests both inside and outside the Church—and worse, actually wanting to do something about it.
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The Aftershock Inside the Vatican
The Vatican was shaken. That same year, John Paul II was elected, and 1978 went down in history as “The Year of Three Popes.” But unlike his successors, John Paul I left behind more questions than miracles.
Over 45 years later, there’s still no clear answer. And maybe that’s the most telling thing of all.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Alan Cruz in Cultura Colectiva.
