December 18, 1979: Buon Natale Greeting, Written & Signed by the Future Pope John Paul I

Pope John Paul I was beatified September 4, 2022

In 2001, Father Kunst and his father went to northern Italy, to an area called Belluno, where Pope John Paul I lived. They visited his family, in particular his niece, Pia Luciani, and his brother Eduardo, and his sister-in-law. They spent the day with them visiting the home where the Pope was born. They were very hospitable and generous people who were happy to show Father Kunst the areas of Pope John Paul’s childhood.

Father Kunst formed a great bond with them but then lost contact. In 2010, he reconnected with Pia Luciani. She fondly remembered their visit.

A Christmas greeting, was given to Father Kunst during this visit.  It was signed on December 18, 1979,  A. Luciani.

The second postcard was sent on January 20, 1959. It was a greeting sent while he was a bishop in Vittorio Veneto. (Pope John XXIII himself consecrated Luciani.)

These are extremely rare items, because John Paul I was not considered to be a strong papal candidate and was only pope for thirty-three days. People did not save items belonging to him. So finding things belonging to him is actually quite rare, making these items very special.

Items belonging to or associated with John Paul are featured on Papal Artifacts/John Paul I.  His biography, a YouTube, his coat of arms and burial site are are on Papal History.

Pope John Paul I is a favorite of the Papal Artifacts’ curator, and we are always honored to feature him even as we remember with gratitude the gift of his life to our Church.

The following signed notes and letters written by Albino Luciani are a virtual treasure trove when one considers his relative obscurity to most of us before his election to the papacy.  Click on the images to enlarge them.