Id-Dar tal-Providenza, that has one of its villas named after Pope John Paul I, welcomes his beatification that took place on Sunday, 4th September 2022, which happened during a celebration led by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
The Italian Cardinal Albino Luciani was elected Pope on the 26th August 1978 and chose the name of John Paul as a sign of respect towards his predecessors, Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI. He died suddenly 34 days later on September 28th 1978.
Villa Papa Luciani, at Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi, was inaugurated 35 years ago on September 8th, 1987, four months after the death of its founder, Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi. It was Dun Mikiel’s wish that this villa is named after Pope John Paul I, also known as Papa Luciani or the Pope with the smile. This villa has two flats, each of them hosting nine persons with disability.