PHILIP PULLELLA POPE John Paul I, who died in 1978 after only 33 days as pontiff, moved closer to sainthood with the Vatican still having to dismiss lingering conspiracy theories that he was a victim of foul play. Pope Francis beatified his predecessor at a ceremony in St. Peter's Square before tens of thousands of people. Beatification is the last step before sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. John Paul was known as "The Smiling Pope" because of his meekness and simplicity. "With a smile, Pope John Paul managed to communicate the goodness of the Lord," Francis said in his…