Pope Francis made history twice in one day with dual canonization

Pope Francis has made a habit of breaking with tradition during the first year of his papacy, and on Sunday he continued his string of unprecedented actions by elevating two former papal predecessors to sainthood in the same ceremony.

Before an estimated crowd of 800,000, Francis canonized John XXIII and John Paul II, two of the church's most renowned leaders of the past century, calling them "men of courage." It was the first time two former popes were canonized simultaneously, hence the enormous crowd.

Yet the ceremony was notable for another first as well: It was the first time two living popes were present at the same canonization. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who resigned last year due to health concerns, attended the event and met with Francis before and after the ceremony.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Here, their post-ceremony rendezvous: