Thousands in Rome for beatification of late Pope John Paul II

Thousands of people have gathered in Rome's Circus Maximus, ahead of the ceremony to beatify Pope John Paul II.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims - including up to a quarter of a million from Poland alone - are expected to cram the square.

Beatification, or declaring a person "blessed", is the necessary prelude to full sainthood.

David Willey reports.

  • Europe