Briefly-serving Pope John Paul I beatified

A man holds a photo of Pope John Paul I during the beatification ceremony led by Pope Francis (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis has beatified one of his predecessors, John Paul I – a briefly serving pontiff who distinguished himself with his humility and cheerfulness, and whose abrupt death in his bedroom in 1978 shocked the world and fuelled suspicions for years about his demise.

The ceremony in St Peter’s Square on Sunday constituted the last formal step in the Vatican before possible sainthood for Albino Luciani, an Italian who died 33 days after being elected pontiff.