Popes John Paul II and John XXIII Declared Saints In Double Canonisation

Hundreds of thousands gather at Rome to witness canonisation of two great figures of 20th-century Roman Catholicism

Pope Francis has declared two of his predecessors, John Paul II and John XXIII, saints of the Roman Catholic church in an unprecedented double-canonisation mass in St Peter's Square.
Pilgirms attend the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter's at the Vatican. Phot

"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,

 said Francis in the official proclamation at about 10.15am.

Pilgrims gather on Saint Peter's Square ahead of a ceremony that will see popes John Paul II and John XXIII recognized as saints. Photograph

                      
                        

 Pope Francis celebrates mass during the canonisation ceremony in St Peter's Square at the Vatican of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. Photograph: Max Rossi/ReutersCarrying flags, backpacks and rolled foam mattresses, pilgrims from all over the world had flocked into Vatican City overnight and were let into St Peter's Square from 5.30am when the piazza was opened by authorities. The Vatican said they totalled around 500,000 in St Peter's Square and the surrounding streets, while 800,000 people were thought to have gathered for the mass in Rome as a whole.