Pope John Paul I will be beatified on 4 September in the Vatican

Solemn ceremony for Albino Luciani, former patriarch of Venice, bishop of Vittorio Veneto and vicar of the diocese of Belluno-Feltre. Victoriesi in celebration

VITTORIO VENETO. Pope John Paul I, Albino Luciani, will be beatified on 4 September next. Luciani was bishop of Vittorio Veneto for ten years, from 1959, to then arrive, as patriarch, in Venice. The memory and devotion in the city and in the diocese are still very much alive.

The news came from Vatican, while – says Don Alessio Magoga, spokesman for Bishop Corrado Pizziolo – the Victorian Church is preparing to celebrate the beatification of father Cosma Spessotto, which will be held in San Salvador on 22 January next. “I am really very happy that the date of the beatification has finally been set,” admits the bishop of Vittorio Veneto Pizziolo, who turned 72 yesterday.

“As for the date, September 4th, there is plenty of time to prepare for the event and it is placed in a period quite free from other pastoral commitments, which generally begin shortly after. The place is also absolutely suitable: Luciani was a priest and vicar general of the diocese of Belluno-Feltre, bishop of the diocese of Vittorio Veneto and Patriarch from Venice; however, as pope – albeit for only 33 days – I believe that the basilica of St. Peter, in the city of Rome, represents the most appropriate location for the celebration of his beatification. It was precisely those 33 days, in fact, who have made known to the world the intellectual and moral stature of Luciani ».

“I am very happy”, finally reiterates the bishop Corrado. “Now, as the diocese of Vittorio Veneto, we will immediately begin preparing to experience this event in the best possible way”.