How long did Pope John Paul I serve?

Pope John Paul I  (17 October 1912 – 28 September 1978), served as Pope from 26 August 1978 to his sudden death 33 days later. His reign is among the shortest in papal history, resulting in the most recent Year of Three Popes, the first since 1605. John Paul I remains the most recent Italian-born pope, the last in a succession of such popes that started with Clement VII in 1523.

Before the papal conclave that elected him, he expressed his desire not to be elected, telling those close to him that he would decline the papacy if elected, but, upon the cardinals electing him, he felt an obligation to say "yes". He was the first pontiff to have a double name, choosing "John Paul" in honor of his two immediate predecessors, John XXIII and Paul VI.

He was baptized on the day he was born by the midwife because he was considered to be in danger of death, and the solemn rites of baptism were formalized in the parish church two days later. The moral theology of John Paul I had been openly debated because of his opinions expressed on a number of issues, particularly birth control. It is debated whether John Paul I was liberal, conservative, or a moderate in matters of church doctrine, thus it is difficult to assess his views.

On 29 September 1978, John Paul I was found dead "lying in his bed, with a book opened beside him, and the reading light on." According to a Vatican doctor, he probably died around 11 p.m "of a heart attack" that occurred on 28 September.