The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bucharest, commonly known as the “Italian Church,” hosted a solemn Mass on August 30 in honor of Blessed Pope John Paul I (Albino Luciani). Celebrated by Archbishop Giampiero Gloder, the Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the event marked the Pope’s liturgical memorial with hundreds of faithful in attendance. During the celebration, the Vatican Foundation “John Paul I” presented the parish with an icon and a relic of the late pontiff.
The Mass brought together prominent clergy and lay leadership from across the region. Concelebrants alongside Archbishop Gloder included Bucharest’s Metropolitan Archbishop Aurel Percă, Archbishop Emeritus Ioan Robu, and the parish’s priests, Father Daniel Bulai and Father Marius Bereșoaie. Among the distinguished guests were Stefania Falasca, postulator for the cause of Luciani’s canonization; Lina Petri, the Pope’s niece; Italian Ambassador to Romania Laura Aghilarre; and representatives from the Romanian “Pope Luciani” association and Catholic Action.
In his homily, Archbishop Gloder reflected on the three central themes of Pope John Paul I’s brief pontificate: love, faith, and hope. He praised Blessed Luciani’s generous heart and ability to offer warmth and care to everyone he met. Highlighting the Pope’s legacy in the context of modern global challenges, the Nuncio encouraged the congregation to mirror Luciani’s concrete witness of love and serve as instruments of reconciliation, communion, and peace in a world often divided by power and conflict.
The newly blessed icon of Blessed John Paul I was displayed on the main altar for public devotion throughout the week. Following the memorial celebrations, it will be permanently installed next to the icon of Saint John Paul II within the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer.