vatican city pope john paul serve 33 days pontiff 1978 abrupt death move step close sainthood vatican say thursday know smile pope good nature albino luciani reign head catholic church short modern time shock demise fuel press speculation might murder vatican always deny rumor say die heart attack first step place among church swell rank saint vatican say pope francis back vote congregation cause saint recognize heroic virtues pope john paul i. mean john paul last italian make pontiff move toward beatification final step sainthood beatification would require miracle attribute intercession catholic church posthumously confer beatification late sainthood people consider holy live believe god intercede perform miracles miracles usually medically unexplained heal someone john paul sainthood process start 2002 supporters italy collect 300,000 signatures petition call make saint could take many years cause progress luciani cardinal venice elect pope aug. 26 1978. humble man time leave mark church death september 28 1978. rumor rapidly surface hide force within church poison newly elect luciani head institutional change plan introduce church decision hold post mortem body bicker vatican night death crude attempt hide fact nun find body manna fan conspiracy theories luciani successor john paul ii rule 27 years die 2005. make saint 2014 fast elevation sainthood modern time italy 's 'smiling pope inch close sainthood