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. Very recently, in 2010, he reconnected with Pia Luciani. She fondly remembered their visit.

She gave him postcards, signed A. Luciani. The 1959 greeting sent to her is featured first. He was serving as bishop of Vittorio Veneto at that time and had been consecrated by Pope John XXIII himself.

The second card is a Buon Natale (Christmas) greeting sent in 1972.

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 of his is actually quite rare, making these items very special.