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Popes set for historic Vatican saints ceremony | Popes set for historic Vatican saints ceremony |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two leading popes of the 20th Century - John Paul II and John XXIII - are to be declared saints at an unprecedented open-air ceremony in Rome on Sunday. | Two leading popes of the 20th Century - John Paul II and John XXIII - are to be declared saints at an unprecedented open-air ceremony in Rome on Sunday. |
A Mass co-celebrated by Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict will be witnessed by one million pilgrims and a vast TV and radio audience. | A Mass co-celebrated by Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict will be witnessed by one million pilgrims and a vast TV and radio audience. |
Nearly 100 foreign delegations are due, including royal dignitaries and heads of state and government. | Nearly 100 foreign delegations are due, including royal dignitaries and heads of state and government. |
It is the first time two popes have been canonised at the same time. | It is the first time two popes have been canonised at the same time. |
Correspondents say the move is being seen as an attempt to unite conservative and reformist camps within the Roman Catholic Church. | Correspondents say the move is being seen as an attempt to unite conservative and reformist camps within the Roman Catholic Church. |
Rare appearance | Rare appearance |
Pilgrims have been pouring into Rome and special bus, train and boat services are expected to ferry many more into the city early on Sunday morning for the two-hour ceremony which starts at 10:00 local (0800 GMT). | Pilgrims have been pouring into Rome and special bus, train and boat services are expected to ferry many more into the city early on Sunday morning for the two-hour ceremony which starts at 10:00 local (0800 GMT). |
Some had bagged places to sleep overnight as close as possible to St Peter's Square, hoping to be among the first in when it opens to the public. | Some had bagged places to sleep overnight as close as possible to St Peter's Square, hoping to be among the first in when it opens to the public. |
Giant screens have also been erected in nearby streets and elsewhere in the city for those unable to get into the square. | Giant screens have also been erected in nearby streets and elsewhere in the city for those unable to get into the square. |
"We've been counting down the days. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said one pilgrim from Poland, John Paul II's home country. | "We've been counting down the days. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said one pilgrim from Poland, John Paul II's home country. |
"We're already hoarse from singing!" he told AFP. | "We're already hoarse from singing!" he told AFP. |
The Vatican confirmed on Saturday that 87-year-old Benedict XVI - now officially titled Pope Emeritus - would make a rare public appearance alongside his successor. | The Vatican confirmed on Saturday that 87-year-old Benedict XVI - now officially titled Pope Emeritus - would make a rare public appearance alongside his successor. |
"He will co-celebrate, which does not mean he will go to the altar," a Vatican spokesman said. | "He will co-celebrate, which does not mean he will go to the altar," a Vatican spokesman said. |
"We will all be happy to have him there." | "We will all be happy to have him there." |
Benedict XVI resigned for health reasons a year ago, sending shock waves around the world. | Benedict XVI resigned for health reasons a year ago, sending shock waves around the world. |
No pope had resigned for 600 years. | No pope had resigned for 600 years. |
'Fast-tracked' | 'Fast-tracked' |
The process of saint-making is usually long and very costly. | The process of saint-making is usually long and very costly. |
But John Paul II, whose 26-year reign ended in 2005, has been fast-tracked to sainthood in just nine years. | But John Paul II, whose 26-year reign ended in 2005, has been fast-tracked to sainthood in just nine years. |
Many among the huge crowds that gathered as he lay dying cried out "Santo subito!" (Make him a saint immediately!) | Many among the huge crowds that gathered as he lay dying cried out "Santo subito!" (Make him a saint immediately!) |
By contrast Italian-born John XXIII, known as the Good Pope after his 1958-63 papacy, had his promotion to full sainthood decided suddenly and very recently by Pope Francis. | By contrast Italian-born John XXIII, known as the Good Pope after his 1958-63 papacy, had his promotion to full sainthood decided suddenly and very recently by Pope Francis. |
The BBC's David Willey in Rome says there was a political dimension to this. | The BBC's David Willey in Rome says there was a political dimension to this. |
By canonising both John XXIII - the pope who set off the reform movement - and John Paul II - the pope who applied the brakes - Francis has skilfully deflected any possible criticism that he could be taking sides. | By canonising both John XXIII - the pope who set off the reform movement - and John Paul II - the pope who applied the brakes - Francis has skilfully deflected any possible criticism that he could be taking sides. |
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