In pictures: Popes become saints

Polish pilgrims wait for mass before the canonisation ceremony in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 27 — Image caption,
For thousands of pilgrims, celebrations began early for the canonisation of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII.

General view of St Peter's Square during the canonisation ceremony of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II at the Vatican April 27

At the height of the ceremony, as many as one million people had thronged into Rome, many thousands packing St Peter's Square in the Vatican.

Bishops attend the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter"s at the Vatican on April 27

While dozens of bishops took their seats for the outdoor ceremony...

People wearing 3D glasses follow the broadcast of the canonisation mass in the church of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII in Milan on April 27

...pilgrims without ringside seats watched on big screens, some of which showed the ceremony in 3D in churches elsewhere in Italy.

Pope Francis leads the canonisation mass in which John Paul II and John XXIII are to be declared saints on April 27

The ceremony's climax came as Pope Francis, in keeping with tradition, was asked three times to accept the candidates' sainthood, accepting on the third request.

Costa Rican Floribeth Mora brings the relic of John Paul II to Pope Francis at St Peter's at the Vatican on April 27

Pope Francis was given relics of the new saints, including a drop of blood from John Paul II. It was presented by Floribeth Mora, who claims she was cured of a serious brain condition by a miracle attributed to John Paul.

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI arrives for the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter's at the Vatican on April 27

Among those attending the ceremony was Pope Emeritus Benedict, who stood down as pope because of ill health.

Catholics in Mexico City celebrate the canonisation ceremony of Pope John XXIII and John Paul II in Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City April 27

Those celebrating the ceremony were not just in Italy, with special Masses being held as far afield as Mexico City.

Children wearing Pope's cassocks cross a road before taking part in a parade in Quezon city, Metro Manila April 27

Catholics in the Philippines also celebrated with their own mocked up ceremony, featuring several "mini-popes" protected by uniformed faux-Swiss-Guards.