Two popes declared saints: In pictures

IN PICTURES

VATICAN - Pope Francis on Sunday proclaimed as saints his influential predecessors John Paul II and John XXIII at an historic ceremony attended by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square.

(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF AFP)

trueBishops take their seats before the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter's at the Vatican.
 

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Pope Francis is helped along as he swings the censer during the canonisation mass attended and watched by hundreds of thousands of Christians
 

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A banner showing Pope John Paul II who was declared a saint on Sunday.
 

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Costa Rican Floribeth Mora, who claims she was cured of a serious brain condition by a miracle attributed to late Pope John Paul II, hands the relic of John Paul II to Pope Francis

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Pope emeritus Benedict XVI (C) arrives for the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II

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Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace Mugabe also traveled to the Vatican to witness history
 

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Spain's Queen Sofia waves as she arrives with Spain's King Juan Carlos (back hidden) for the historic event
 

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Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (L) was among those in attendance
 

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A Cardinal takes a picture as he arrives for the canonisation mass

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View of a puppet depicting a Pope before the canonisation mass

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A Mexican pilgrim wears a hat and holds a picture of Pope John Paul II

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Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome on Sunday for a mass presided by Pope Francis to confer sainthood on John Paul II and John XXIII

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Popes John XXIII (R) and John Paul II (L) were very influential in helping to shape 20th century history. 

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A priests gives the eucharist to a woman during the ceremony
 

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A man wearing 3D glasses follows in the church of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII in Milan the 3D broadcast of the canonisation mass
 

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Priests holding umbrellas with the Vatican colors follow the canonisation mass
 

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Men dressed in centurion stand by a portrait of Pope John Paul II in Rome
 

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Pope Francis touches the statue of the Virgin Mary on the day of canonisation