Sunday, 27 April 2014

Unprecedented scenes as one million people fill St Peter's Square to witness two living Popes canonize two late Popes- John XXIII and John Paul II

 Faithful filling the square: Pope Francis has declared his two predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II saints in an unprecedented ceremony

Hundreds of thousands of people today filled St Peter's Square at the Vatican for a historic day involving four popes.
In the presence of retired Pope Benedict XVI, Francis declared John XXIII and John Paul II saints - in the first canonisation of two pontiffs.
Benedict, now aged 87, was sitting off to the side with other cardinals in the square during the rite at the start of Sunday's Mass.

Italian officials predicted 1million were watching the Mass from the square, the streets surrounding it and nearby piazzas where TV screens were set up.  
 
Kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers from more than 90 countries were expected to attend the canonisations.
Some 20 Jewish leaders from the US, Israel, Italy, Francis' native Argentina and Poland were also taking part.

'Four popes in one ceremony is a fantastic thing to see and to be at, because it is history being written in our sight'
David Halfar, visiting Pole

'In 1982 he(John Paul II) came to Gabon and told us to "Get up, go forward and be not afraid". When we heard he was going to be canonised, we got up'
Therese Andjoua, a nurse visiting from Gabon


Below are some pictures from the historic event.

 Looking down: Pope Francis leads the canonisation mass in which John Paul II and John XXIII are declared saints
Ceremony: Francis (pictured) has coaxed Benedict XVI out of retirement and urged him to take part in the public life of the churchAt the age of 87: Emeritus Pope Benedict arrives for mass before the canonisation ceremony in St Peter's SquarePacked: Hundreds of thousands of people fill St. Peter's Square for a historic day of four popes, with Francis and Benedict XVI honoring John XXIII and John Paul IIHistoric moment: Bishops take their seats before the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter's at the Vatican todayCelebrated: Priests hold pictures of Pope John XXIII (left) and Pope John Paul II (right) in St Peter's Square at the VaticanSaying hello: Pope Francis greets the crowd from his Popemobile after the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul IIAll trying to get a view of him: Pope Francis greets the crowd from his popemobile after the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul IIPictured: A postcard shows portraits of the two popes to be canonized ahead of a ceremony that will see John Paul II (right) and John XXIII (left) recognised as saintsMeeting a dictator: Pope Francis greets Robert Mugabe (left), the president of Zimbabwe, in St. Peter's Square, next to Mr Mugabe's wife Grace (right)
President Mugabe




Meeting: Pope Francis greets King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain (left) followed by King Albert II (back centre) and Queen Paola (right) of Belgium
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain (left) followed by King Albert II (back centre) and Queen Paola (right) of Belgium
Abroad: Filipino children dressed as popes are seen during a mass on the day that Pope Francis canonised John Paul II and John XXIII, in Quezon, Philippines




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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous29 April 2014 at 17:50

    A historic and once in a millennium event. I am glad I witnessed it

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