SW News: On the occasion of the introduction of the new book "The Magisterium of John Paul I," a historical and theological study based on archive sources, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin praised Pope John Paul I's profound impact as a peacemaker throughout his short 34-day papacy.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State and President of the John Paul I Vatican Foundation, delivered the lecture "Il Magisterero di Giovanni Paolo I: A Historical and Theological Study Through Archival Papers" at Ca' Foscari, a public university in Venice, Italy.

Cardinal Parolin praised Cardinal Albino Luciani's peace efforts as Patriarch of Venice in his remarks. "Our objectives should not be judged "utopian" or outmoded," he said on the 10th anniversary of the Johannine papal encyclical Pacem in Terris or Peace on Earth. Realists see "the dynamic of a world striving to live more fraternally." It was the Patriarch of Venice Cardinal Luciani who was elected as the successor of Pope Paul VI in 1978. However, he remained on the throne of St Peter for only 33 days, the shortest pontificate in modern history.

The late Pope cautioned that interstate disputes would always exist, but that warfare would never be able to put an end to them. "Giant and terrible weapons are in front of us." Instead of costly armaments, the state might offer its citizens better schools, hospitals, and services. They are, nevertheless, an insult to impoverished countries denied life-saving help."

According to Cardinal Parolin, Papa Luciani, as he was commonly known in Italy, sought national peace during his short term. He expanded on how the pope led the Church along essential routes laid forth by the Council, such as returning to the Gospel's foundations and revitalizing the Church's missionary zeal, encouraging episcopal unity, serving in clerical poverty, connecting with the contemporary world, and striving for connection with Christ.

The cardinal stressed that these are the only effective "weapons" in a difficult period when falsehoods of power, aridity, and indifference conceal a genuine yearning for justice and peace.

Despite his short papacy, John Paul I considerably promoted the Church and established it as a "point of reference" for people all across the world, according to the Vatican Secretary of State.