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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 1 hour later)
Huge crowds gathered in Vatican City to see a historic ceremony where two popes - John Paul II and John XXIII - were declared saints. Pope Francis has declared Popes John Paul II and John XXIII saints, in front of a crowd of hundreds of thousands.
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. He praised his two predecessors as "men of courage" at the Vatican service, the first time in history that two popes have been canonised at the same time.
Nearly 100 foreign delegations attended, including royal dignitaries and heads of state and government. The Mass was attended by Pope Emeritus Benedict, who quit as pope last year, and roughly 100 foreign delegations.
It is the first time two popes have been canonised at the same time. Analysts say Francis is trying to balance the conservative legacy of John Paul with the reforming zeal of John.
Correspondents say the move is being seen as an attempt to unite conservative and reformist camps within the Roman Catholic Church. At the climax of the service, Pope Francis said in Latin: "We declare and define Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II to be saints and we enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church."
In his sermon, Pope Francis paid tribute to the two new saints as "men of courage". Relics of each man - a container of blood from John Paul and a piece of skin from John - were placed near the altar.
"They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th Century," he said. Pope Francis paid tribute to the two new saints as "priests, bishops and popes of the 20th Century".
"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," he said.
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). The Vatican estimated some 800,000 pilgrims had poured into Rome to see the two-hour ceremony first-hand.
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. For those unable to make it into St Peter's Square, giant screens were set up in nearby streets and elsewhere in the city.
Giant screens were set up in nearby streets and elsewhere in the city for those unable to get into the square. "Four popes in one ceremony is a fantastic thing to see and to be at, because it is history being written in our sight," said Polish pilgrim Dawid Halfar.
"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.
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 politicsPapal 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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