The Congregation for the Causes of the Saints has unanimously voted in favour of the “heroic virtues” of Pope John Paul I, meaning that Pope Francis will now shortly sign a decree declaring him “venerable”. The dicastery of the saints will now have to approve a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul’s intercession before declaring him “blessed”, and second miracle before canonising him as a saint. Born Albino Luciani, Pope John Paul I reigned for just 33 days before dying suddenly of a heart attack. Before his election, he served as Patriarch of Venice for nine years, and was created a cardinal in 1973.