Biography - Pope John Paul I - The Papal Library
Highlights of the Life of His Holiness
John Paul I
1912
17 October Born at "Forno di Canale" (Belluno), (actually at Canale d'Argordo), son of Giovanni Luciani and Bortola Tancon; was baptized the same day at home, by the midwife, as he was in danger of death.
19 October Baptism was formalized in the Church by the curate, Don Achille Ronzon.
1918
October Began elementary school.
1919
26 September Was confirmed by Bishop Giosuč Cattarossi.
1923
October Entered the minor seminary in Feltre.
1928
October Entered the Gregorian Seminary at Belluno.
1934
Ordained as sub-deacon.
1935
2 February Ordained as deacon.
7 July Ordained to the priesthood at St. Peter's Church of Belluno.
9 July Named curate of the parish at Canale d'Agordo.
18 December Transferred as curate of Agordo and named instructor of religion at the Technical Institute for Miners in Agordo.
1937
July Named vice-rector of the Gregorian Seminary in Belluno (1937-1947).
October Began his service as instructor.
1947
27 February Graduated from the Gregorian University in Rome with a doctorate in Sacred Theology, his thesis being, "The origin of the human soul according to Antonio Rosmini".
November Nominated chancellor of the diocese of Belluno by Bishop Girolamo Bortignon.
16 December Nominated Monsignor.
Nominated Secretary of the Diocesan Synod.
1948
2 February Nominated Pro Vicar-General of the diocese of Belluno.
Nominated Director of the Catechetics Office of the Diocese.
1949
December Published Catechetica in briciole.
1950
March Published his doctoral thesis.
1954
6 February Nominated Vicar-General of the Diocese of Belluno.
1956
30 June Nominated Canon of the Cathedral.
1958
15 December Named Bishop of Vittorio Veneto by Pope John XXIII.
27 December Consecrated Bishop by John XXIII at St. Peter's Basilica together with the newly consecrated bishops, Gioacchino Muccin and Girolamo Bortignon.
1959
11 January Took possession of the diocese of Vittorio Veneto
17 June Began his pastoral visit.
1962
8 October - 8 December Was present for the opening of the Vatican Council II in Rome; returning to his diocese only for a few days.
1963
28 September - 4 December Returns to Rome for the 2nd Session of the Vatican Council II; returning to his diocese only for a few days.
1964
13 September - 21 November Returns to Rome for the 3rd Session of the Vatican Council II.
1965
13 September - 9 December Returns to Rome for the 4th Session of the Vatican Council II.
1966
16 August - 2 September Traveled to Burundi on mission for the diocese of Vittorio Veneto.
1969
15 December Named Patriarch of Venice by Pope Paul VI .
1970
1 February Received honorary citizenship of Vittorio Veneto.
8 February Officially entered the City of Venice as Patriarch.
25 October Began his pastoral visit.
1971
12-14 June Made a pastoral visit to Switzerland, returning by way of Savoy.
28 September - 5 November Participated in the II Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome regarding "The Ministerial Priesthood and Justice in the World", returning to his diocese from 23 to 31 of October.
1972
12-17 June Was elected Vice President of the Italian Bishops Conference, holding this position until 2 June 1975.
16 September Received Pope Paul VI in visit to Venice.
1973
5 March Created Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
1974
27 September - 26 October Participated in the III Ordinary General Assembly in Rome of the Synod of Bishops regarding "Evangelization in the Modern World".
1975
18 May Traveled on Pastoral Visit to Germany.
6-21 November Completed a Pastoral Visit to Brazil where he was given the honorary degree of "honoris causa" from the state university of "S. Maria a Rio Grande do Sul".
1976
January Published: Illustrissimi.
10-13 September As an official representative of the Italian Episcopal Conference, participated in the commemorative celebration at Spalato, Yugoslavia.
1977
30 September - 29 October Participated in the IV Ordinary General Assembly in Rome of the Synod of Bishops regarding "Catechetics in Our Time".
1978
6 August Death of Pope Paul VI.
10 August Left for Rome.
26 August During the second day of the conclave, elected Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name John Paul I.
27 August Gave his first radio message urbi er orb.
3 September Ceremony that initiates his pastoral service.
28 September Died.