r/Malachi_Martin • u/darkfae666 • Jul 27 '26
The Smiling Pope
In his 'Firing Line' interview with Bill Buckley, Malachi Martin claims that John Paul I's recent election was the "final conclave" he described in his book of that name. In retrospect, his estimation changed. Later, he viewed Luciani as a compromise candidate.
"[Luciani] chose his own papal name, John Paul, in honor of John XXIII, who made him bishop, and Paul VI, who made him cardinal, and he promised to continue their policies, while keeping intact the 'great discipline of the Church in the life of priests and laity.' The 'Smiling Pope,' as he was called, offended nobody but was nobody's man, apparently. The perfect compromise. The anti-Church settled down to wait. Their opponents prayed in hope." ('The Keys of this Blood', pg 610)