Pope Francis canonizes predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II

Pope John X

Pope Francis presides over mass in front of hundreds of thousands at Vatican

XIII, who reigned from 1958 to 1963 and called the modernizing Second Vatican Council, and Pope John Paul II, who reigned for nearly 27 years before his death in 2005 and whose trips around the world made him the most visible pope in history, were declared saints by Pope Francis at an unprecedented twin canonization on Sunday morning

 Bishops attend the canonisation ceremony of Popes John XXIII and Jean-Paul II led by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, April 27, 2014. Pope Francis proclaimed his predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II saints in front of more than half a million pilgrims on Sunday, hailing both as courageous men who withstood the tragedies of the 20th century. (Max Rossi/Reuters)

Pope John XXIII delivers a message to the world appealing for peace.

 

 

 

 

 

1 of 16. Pope Francis swings incense as he celebrates mass during the canonisation ceremony in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 27, 2014.