Millions of people went to Vatican to witness the canonization of two new saints Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. Millions of people around the world celebrates the declaration of new saints and it is said a historic event where in two former Catholic church leaders being canonized.
In Philippines, Catholic church celebrates the canonization of two new saints by having mass. Prayers and praises for the two popes.
A crowd estimated at more than one million thronged St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding area today to watch two 20th century Catholic giants, Pope John Paul and Pope John XXIII, declared saints.
Pope Francis presided over the massive canonization ceremony, joined by his predecessor, the retired 87-year-old Benedict XVI, leading the Italian press to dub the day the “Festival of Four Popes.”
Both were historic firsts. Two popes have never before been declared saints in the same ceremony, and two living popes have never before been on hand for the event.
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The canonization was the largest public gathering in Rome since the funeral of John Paul II in April 2005. In his remarks during the Mass, Pope Francis praised the two new saints.
“These were two men of courage, filled with the boldness of the Holy Spirit, and they bore witness before the Church and the world to God’s goodness and mercy,” Francis said.
Pope John XXIII, known in his day as “Good Pope John,” is remembered above all for convening the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), which launched the Catholic Church on a course of reform. (http://www.bostonglobe.com/)
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