Roman Phase of John Paul I's Cause Is Open

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 7, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Roman phase of the cause for canonization of Pope John Paul I has opened.

The diocesan investigation into the cause ended on Nov. 10 and the Roman phase began last Wednesday.

Officials have expressed hope that this stage will progress quickly, taking into account that a cure attributed to John Paul I's intercession is being studied. If the cure is deemed miraculous, then the path to beatification would be open.

Albino Luciani, the future Pope, was born in Canale d'Agordo in 1912. He died in Vatican City on Sept. 28, 1978, after a 33-day pontificate. He was the patriarch of Venice before being elected Pope.