Pope Canonises Seven New Saints

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the World Mission Sunday by canonizing seven new Saints. Jacques Berthieu (France), Pedro Calungsod (Philippines), Giovanni Battista Piamarta (Italy), Marìa Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras (Spain), Marianne Cope (Germany), Kateri Tekakwitha (USA), and Anna Schäffer (Germany) were raised to the honours of the altar, when thousands of pilgrims from around the world gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Benedict, in his message, said that, it was an occasion of great joy that the canonization took place in Rome during the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. As the Church is observing this year as the year of faith, this occasion has a special significance that the canonization took place this year.