Pope Francis beatified John Paul I in St Peter's Square on Sunday with thousands of people present in the audience.

Also known as the "Smiling Pope" because of his humility and simplicity, John Paul died in 1978 after only 33 days as pontiff amid lingering conspiracy theories that he was a victim of foul play.

Beatification, that is the last step before sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church, is a process when a person becomes "blessed".

Speaking as people huddled under umbrellas in a thunderstorm, Francis said "With a smile, Pope John Paul managed to communicate the goodness of the Lord."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-laments-churchs-cooperation-in-cultural-destruction-500607">Also read |&nbsp;Pope Francis laments Church’s cooperation in 'cultural destruction'</a>

Born in 1912 as the son of a bricklayer from the Dolomite mountains, John Paul's death sparked intense speculation as to the cause.

The swirling rumours can be explained by the sudden nature of his death and the "calamitous communication" by the Vatican at the time, according to biographer Christophe Henning.

While the Vatican issued conflicting and false information about what happened, no autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death.

The Vatican said his secretary found him as it did not want to acknowledge the presence of a woman in his bedroom.

After a local priest prayed to the late pontiff, the miracle of the sudden healing of a gravely ill 11-year-old girl in Buenos Aires was attributed to John Paul I.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pope Francis beatified John Paul I in St Peter's Square on Sunday with thousands of people present in the audience. Also known as the "Smiling Pope" because of his humility and simplicity, John Paul died in 1978 after only 33 days as pontiff amid lingering conspiracy theories that he was a victim of foul play.

Pope Francis beatified John Paul I in St Peter's Square on Sunday with thousands of people present in the audience. Also known as the "Smiling Pope" because of his humility and simplicity, John Paul died in 1978 after only 33 days as pontiff amid lingering conspiracy theories that he was a victim of foul play. Beatification, that is the last step before sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church, is a process when a person becomes "blessed". Speaking as people huddled under umbrellas in a thunderstorm, Francis said "With a smile, Pope John Paul managed to communicate the goodness of the Lord." Also read | Pope Francis laments Church’s cooperation in 'cultural destruction' Born in 1912 as the son of a bricklayer from the Dolomite mountains, John Paul's death sparked intense speculation as to the cause. The swirling rumours can be explained by the sudden nature of his death and the "calamitous communication" by the Vatican at the time, according to biographer Christophe Henning. While the Vatican issued conflicting and false information about what happened, no autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death. The Vatican said his secretary found him as it did not want to acknowledge the presence of a woman in his bedroom. After a local priest prayed to the late pontiff, the miracle of the sudden healing of a gravely ill 11-year-old girl in Buenos Aires was attributed to John Paul I. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

One step away from sainthood: 'Smiling' John Paul I beatified by Pope Francis

Pope Francis has appealed for peace from both sides in the ongoing Libyan civil war. He has urged the international community to take steps to protect the&nbsp;refugees and migrants.

In his Sunday afternoon address at the&nbsp;St. Peter's Square, he said he was pained to see the ongoing Libyan civil war.

"Please! I urge international bodies and those who have political and military responsibilities to restart, with conviction and resolve, the search for a path towards an end to violence, leading to peace, stability and unity in the country," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/education-is-listening-and-celebrating-life-pope-francis-says-in-video-conference-with-latin-first-ladies-304315">Also watch:&nbsp;'Education is listening and celebrating life', Pope Francis says in video conference with Latin first ladies</a>

Talking about the pandemic and the apparent deteriorating condition of the refugees and migrants in the Libyan migration detention centres, he said, "There is cruelty. I call on the international community - Please! - to take their plight to heart ... Brothers and sisters, we all have responsibility in this. No-one can consider themselves dispensed from this."

Libya has been suffering due to a destabilized&nbsp;central authority since dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi was overthrown by NATO-backed rebels in 2011.

The streets of war-torn Libya are usually seen being patrolled by&nbsp;armed groups, and the country has had rival parliaments and governments in the east and the west for the past few years now.

This has been causing severe tense and violent environment in the country.&nbsp;Libya is divided between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the rival Government of National Accord (GNA) with nations split over their support of the LNA or the GNA.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Pope Francis has appealed for peace from both sides in the ongoing Libyan civil war. He has urged the international community to take steps to protect the refugees and migrants.

Pope Francis has appealed for peace from both sides in the ongoing Libyan civil war. He has urged the international community to take steps to protect the refugees and migrants. In his Sunday afternoon address at the St. Peter's Square, he said he was pained to see the ongoing Libyan civil war. "Please! I urge international bodies and those who have political and military responsibilities to restart, with conviction and resolve, the search for a path towards an end to violence, leading to peace, stability and unity in the country," he said. Also watch: 'Education is listening and celebrating life', Pope Francis says in video conference with Latin first ladies Talking about the pandemic and the apparent deteriorating condition of the refugees and migrants in the Libyan migration detention centres, he said, "There is cruelty. I call on the international community - Please! - to take their plight to heart ... Brothers and sisters, we all have responsibility in this. No-one can consider themselves dispensed from this." Libya has been suffering due to a destabilized central authority since dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi was overthrown by NATO-backed rebels in 2011. The streets of war-torn Libya are usually seen being patrolled by armed groups, and the country has had rival parliaments and governments in the east and the west for the past few years now. This has been causing severe tense and violent environment in the country. Libya is divided between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the rival Government of National Accord (GNA) with nations split over their support of the LNA or the GNA. (With inputs from Reuters)

Pope Francis calls for help to end Libyan civil war

A visibly indignant Pope Francis had to pull himself away from a woman in a crowd in St. Peter's Square on Tuesday (December 31) after she had grabbed his hand and yanked him towards her.

Disgruntled Pope Francis pulls himself free from woman's clutch

Pope Francis arrived late for his weekly address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, explaining that he had been stuck in an elevator in the Vatican for 25 minutes and had to be freed by firefighters.

Pope Francis arrived late for his weekly address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, explaining that he had been stuck in an elevator in the Vatican for 25 minutes and had to be freed by firefighters. "I have to beg your pardon," the smiling pontif said as he started the address about 10 minutes late. He then explained that there had been a electrical power problem in the Vatican and that he had been stuck in the elevator until freed by Vatican fire officers. "A round of applause for the fire brigade," he told the crowd.

Pope stuck in elevator for 25 minutes, freed by fire brigade