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How many old frail Popes have been "hurried" into the afterlife? I'll bet there have been several.

(Not suggesting or encouraging that here, of course.)

John Paul I

DG, what you say is true. My Italian Catholic grandparents lived in southern Italy for over half of their lives. They used to say it was common knowledge that when the higher ups wanted to get rid of somebody, they just put a little something in their drink. Of course, Italians are so used to corruption in their government and the like, they say this matter of factly with a little shrug of their shoulders like "What can you do?"

For a very compelling read, check out 'In God's Name, The Murder of Pope John Paul I' by David A. Yallop. The author is not Catholic but was contacted by people inside the Vatican and supplied with documents and information that is difficult if not impossible to get otherwise. The book is detailed and well written. Yallop is not a big fan of the Catholic Church but he for the most part is able to remain objective. The Vatican has never refuted the specifics of the book but simply issued general condemnations. Players in that book were also shielded in the Vatican, which is one reason I fear Cardinal Law will disappear there at some point and not return to America.

So little is known about JP I, but from all accounts he was a simple, humble, honest and holy man. If this story is true, then he was a martyr for the Faith. I often wonder if they exhumed his body if it would be found incorrupt.