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| Vatican declares Popes John Paul II and John XXIII saints | Vatican declares Popes John Paul II and John XXIII saints |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Huge crowds gathered in Vatican City to see a historic ceremony where two popes - John Paul II and John XXIII - were declared saints. | Huge crowds gathered in Vatican City to see a historic ceremony where two popes - John Paul II and John XXIII - were declared saints. |
| A Mass co-celebrated by Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict was watched by roughly one million pilgrims and a vast TV and radio audience. | A Mass co-celebrated by Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict was watched by roughly one million pilgrims and a vast TV and radio audience. |
| Nearly 100 foreign delegations attended, 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. |
| In his sermon, Pope Francis paid tribute to the two new saints as "men of courage". | In his sermon, Pope Francis paid tribute to the two new saints as "men of courage". |
| "They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th Century," he said. | "They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th Century," he said. |
| "They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For them, God was more powerful." | "They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For them, God was more powerful." |
| Special bus, train and boat services ferried many thousands of pilgrims to Rome for the two-hour ceremony, which started at 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT). | Special bus, train and boat services ferried many thousands of pilgrims to Rome for the two-hour ceremony, which started at 10:00 local time (08:00 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 opened 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 opened to the public. |
| Giant screens were set up in nearby streets and elsewhere in the city for those unable to get into the square. | Giant screens were set up 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. |
| Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign for 600 years when he quit for health reasons a year ago. | Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign for 600 years when he quit for health reasons a year ago. |
| Papal politics | Papal politics |
| 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", which means "sainthood now". | Many among the huge crowds that gathered as he lay dying cried out "santo subito", which means "sainthood now". |
| 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. |
| Are you in Rome? Are you attending the ceremony? Tell us what is happening by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Rome'. Or send your photos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Rome? Are you attending the ceremony? Tell us what is happening by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Rome'. Or send your photos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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