Pope Francis Declares Popes John XXIII and John Paul II Saints in Historic Mass

Pope Francis declared two of his predecessors, Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, saints in a historic mass on Sunday

The current pope presided over a mass in front of 500,000 people who gathered in St. Peter's Square and surrounding streets at the Vatican, including the recently retired Pope Benedict XVI, according to the Associated Press. This is the first time a reigning pope and a retired one celebrated mass together, and the first time two popes were canonized at the same time

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"We declare and define that 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 said during the ceremony, according to the AP. Read more...

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Pope Francis Declares Popes John XXIII and John Paul II Saints in Historic Mass