Pope John Paul I ( 17 October 1912 â `` 28 September 1978 ) was the 263rd Pope of the Roman Catholic Church . Pope John Paul I ( Latin : Ioannes Paulus PP . I , Italian : Giovanni Paolo I ) , born Albino Luciani , ( 17 October 1912 -- 28 September 1978 ) , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and as Sovereign of Vatican City from 26 August 1978 until his death 33 days later .