The Year of Three Popes or the Summer of Three Popes is a common reference to 1978, when the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church was required to elect, in papal conclaves, two new popes in rapid succession as a result of the death of one pope, followed by the death of his successor within the same calendar year. This resulted in a year in which the Catholic Church was led by three different popes (i.e., there were two papal successions). Pope Paul VI died on August 6 and was succeeded by Pope John Paul I, who was elected on August 26, but died thirty-three days later on September 28. His death led to the election of Pope John Paul II on October 16, who held office until his death in 2005.