Pope Francis prays at tomb of Pope Paul VI

Pope Francis prays at tomb of Pope Paul VI

Pope Francis prays at the tomb of Blessed Pope Paul VI.

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis on Sunday prayed at the tomb of Blessed Pope Paul VI on the 39th anniversary of his death.

Blessed Paul VI is buried in the Vatican in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica.

He was beatified by Pope Francis on 19 October 2014, and his liturgical feast is celebrated on the day of his birth (26 September).

Born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini in 1897, he became Pope on 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. 

Upon succeeding Pope St. John XXIII, he reigned over the Second Vatican Council until its close in 1965 and implemented its reforms, also fostering improved ecumenical relations with Eastern Orthodox and Protestant Christians.

Click here to find out more about the papacy of Paul VI in our feature programme on his life and legacy.

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