Popes John XXIII, John Paul II elevated to sainthood
Josephine McKenna
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Popes John Paul II and John XXIII, who presided over enormous changes within the church and across the world, were proclaimed saints on Sunday (April 27) before a crowd of nearly 1 million people in an historic ceremony celebrated by Pope Francis with his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
Around 100 heads of state and government leaders, including the King Juan Carlos of Spain and controversial Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, joined the pilgrims who crammed into St. Peter’s Square under gray and dreary skies. Thirty Jewish leaders were among the official delegations who took part at the Vatican.
“We declare and define Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II be saints, and we enroll them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole church,” Francis declared to the crowd in Latin during the two-hour ceremony.
It was the second high-profile appearance for the frail 87-year-old Benedict since he shocked the world by retiring last year and clearing the way for Francis’ election. With the unprecedented twin papal canonizations and the appearance of two living popes, Sunday’s ceremony was billed as the day of four popes.
http://www.religionnews.com/2014/04/27/popes-john-xxiii-john-paul-ii-elevated-sainthood/