Two Popes Made Saints In Historic Ceremony

Up to one million people have gathered at Vatican City for an historic day in the Roman Catholic Church as two former Popes were declared saints.

The Canonisation of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII took place in the presence of two living pontiffs, Pope Francis and his predecessor Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.

The unprecedented double Canonisation was presided over by Francis in St Peter's Square and watched by millions around the world.

Pope John Paul II and John XXIII were declared saints

He believes the two men revitalised the Church while giving it purpose and direction, and has bent years of tradition by allowing them to be celebrated on the same day.

Sky's Robert Nisbet, in Vatican City, said: "There are enormous crowds here.

"They are estimating up to one million people could be crowding around Vatican City and the centre of Rome to be part of this event.

The recipient of John Paul II's second miracle is seen at the altar

"And certainly they've come from all over the world. There's a huge contingent from Poland here - John Paul II obviously still a hero figure to many."

Pope Francis and Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI hugged briefly as the two-hour mass began.

During the service, relics of Pope John Paul II and John XXIII were taken to the altar, and their sainthoods requested three times.

Floribeth Mora, said to be the recipient of John Paul II's second miracle, was one of many who took part in the ceremony, which is estimated to have cost £6m.

Francis presided over the unprecedented double Canonisation

She suffered an aneurysm and was told she had just one month to live, but after seeing John Paul II's beatification ceremony in 2011, she claimed the pain disappeared.

Afterwards, Francis will tour St Peter's Square in his Popemobile, and is expected to go deeper into the crowds than his predecessors.

Nisbet said it would be an attempt to be seen as "less staid" than previous Popes and "to be more down with the people".

Vatican scholars see the double Canonisation as an attempt by Francis to heal the Church, while also showing his gratitude to the two popular leaders, both from humble origins, who influenced his teachings.

It is also seen by theologians as an attempt to unite modernists and traditionalists in the faith.

Emeritus Pope Benedict arrives for the ceremony in St Peter's Square

Both Popes helped shape the second half of the 20th century.

John XXIII convened the famous second Vatican council in the 1960s - a key moment in the modernisation of the Church.

John Paul II saw the fall of communism in his home country of Poland and across the Soviet bloc.

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