August 25, 1978: The First Conclave of 1978 & Stories about the Man Who Was Elected: Cardinal Albino Luciani

Albino Luciani was elected on August 26, 1978, to a pontificate that lasted a mere 33 days.  Today we begin to tell this story since he left Venice in the (swathe from the) cassock featured today.  Here are a couple preliminary stories, including Pope Paul VI’s prediction that Luciani would succeed him.

The portion of this black cassock is a significant second class relic belonging to Albino Luciani, the Cardinal Archbishop of Venice. It is the one he was wearing as he left Venice to attend the conclave that elected him on August 26, 1978.

Father Richard Kunst, Curator & Commentator

Here is Father’s commentary:

This pope reigned for such a short time–33 days–he is not very well known. He was elected on August 26, 1978, and died 33 days later, on September 28. His short reign resulted in a “Year of 3 Popes.

This item looks very ordinary–a swathe of black cloth. But it is extraordinary because it was actually cut from the cassock that Albino Luciani–that was his baptismal name–wore as he was leaving Venice to attend the conclave that elected him.

And over the years I’ve become a fairly good friend with his niece, Pia Luciani, who was very close to her uncle. In our friendship she has been very, very generous to me, giving me items that were associated with her uncle, such as something as significant as this item.

The cassock is a clerical vestment used primarily for liturgies as well as other liturgical events. You often see our cardinals, bishops and Holy Father wearing cassocks. Priests often wear these as well. The cardinals, in a unique way, have red added to the cassock–both in the buttons down the length of the cassock, and on the fascia–the cummerbund style belt at the waist.

Albino Luciani’s was somewhat unique because his cassock was all black. John Paul I’s motto on his coat of arms was “Humilitas.” He was an extremely humble man, and he wouldn’t often wear red. He wanted to dress as a typical priest. And so that was a pure black cassock that he wore as a simple priest going to the conclave that elected him. And the only reason I was able to get this was because not long before, the Vatican actually contacted Pia Luciani and asked for a portion of that cassock, so that they could distribute it in relic form, for example, on holy cards, because his canonization is well under way. Because she had already cut off pieces for the Holy See, the Vatican, she did it for me as well.

His humility can be quite inspiring. Likewise, Cardinal Dolan, one of the United States’ newest cardinals, often wears just a plain black cassock for interviews and different events. There is a humility in that gesture that is a very beautiful thing, because it shows that when people reach high offices, still their focus is service. And that is what I as a priest, or a bishop or cardinal, am here for–to serve. And so when we see high level officials dress in the lowest level of hierarchy, it can be an inspiration for priests, because they are showing in a very tangible way what we are all about, and that is we are servants to those who are Christ’s followers.

Of course whatever your role is in the Church, it will change with these different appointments. But the humility of remembering that we’re servants of Christ doesn’t change. It is at the heart of who we are as people of God, not only as clergy. And it’s completely appropriate that John Paul I’s motto is ‘Humilitas” because as a man who was pope for only 33 days, he’ll go down in history as being a very humble man.

Since he is soon to be beatified the cassock assumes even greater historical significance.  —Father Richard Kunst

About the Holy Card and Relic of Albino Luciani Featured Below the Large Swathe of Cassock:

Quite an interesting story is connected to this holy card and relic of Albino Luciani who became Pope John Paul I, reigning for only thirty-three days in 1978.

The portion of this black cassock is a significant second class relic belonging to Albino Luciani, the Cardinal Archbishop of Venice. It is a tiny piece of the one he was wearing as he left Venice to attend the conclave that elected him on August 26, 1978. After his death, the Vatican contacted the pope’s family asking for a portion of the cassock to be distributed as relics. This relic is from the portion given to the Vatican by the pope’s family.

However, Father Richard Kunst formed a great bond with the pope’s family and he also received a portion of this cassock from them, which is another artifact you may view in the Collection.

Father Kunst received that item from John Paul’s niece, Pia Luciani, with whom he has maintained contact since visiting her in 2001. She was happy to send him a large portion of this cassock, which had already been cut up for relics upon request from the Vatican.

Since he is soon to be beatified the cassock assumes even greater historical significance.

Pope Paul VI’s Prediction that Albino Luciani Would Succeed Him:

Pope Paul not only made me a cardinal, (March 5, 1973) but, some months before that, in the piazza of St. Mark, he made me blush in front of 20,000 people, because he took off his stole and placed it on my shoulders.  In the fifteen years of his pontificate, this pope showed not only me but also the whole world how he loved the Church, how he served her, and how he suffered for this Church of Christ.

So I took the name of John Paul.  I do not have the wisdom of heart of Pope John.  I do not have the preparation and culture of Pope Paul, but now I stand in their place.  I will try to serve the Church, and hope that you will help me with your prayers.  

 —Heirs of the Fisherman by John-Peter Pham