A million people will pack St Peter's Square to see Pope Francis canonise two popes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.For the first time, two former popes are to be canonised into sainthood at the Vatican today with up to a million people expected to pack St Peter's Square and the surrounding streets to witness the event.
The Vatican also confirmed yesterday that Pope Emeritus Benedict will attend the mass, meaning that when Pope Francis proclaims John XXIII and John Paul II as saints of the Roman Catholic Church, two popes will have been canonised in the presence of two successors.
Groups of pilgrims from Poland and as far afield as Paraguay were filling the square yesterday ahead of the ceremony. "I feel very happy because both of them inspire us," Father Emmanuel Emeka, a priest from Nigeria, told Reuters. "I think both of them have a lot to teach us." For those unable to fit in the square, 18 huge television screens will be set up around Rome on which to view the ceremony.
The authorities are expecting to distribute up to four million bottles of water to visitors over the weekend, while nearly 1,000 chemical toilets have been installed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments