Pope John Paul I died suddenly on the evening of September 28, 1978, just 33 days after his election as pope. The official cause of death was a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), confirmed by attending doctors and supported by medical records and witness testimonies. He had complained of chest pains earlier that evening but declined to have his doctor called. He was found dead in his bed by two nuns the next morning, with a peaceful expression and holding reading material, which led to his nickname "the smiling pope"
. Despite the official explanation, John Paul I's sudden death sparked numerous conspiracy theories and suspicions of foul play, partly because no autopsy was performed, which is Vatican protocol. Some questioned the immediate embalming of his body and discrepancies in who found him dead, fueling speculation of possible assassination. However, forensic experts and Vatican officials have largely dismissed these theories, describing them as speculative and unsupported by evidence. The Vatican's Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin called such theories "noir reconstructions" based on opinion rather than fact
. In summary, Pope John Paul I died of a natural heart attack, though the unusual circumstances and lack of an autopsy have led to ongoing rumors and conspiracy theories. His death remains officially attributed to natural causes
