The crowd was so thick that some people managed to sleep on their feet. Majority in the crowd were Poles, with red and white Polish flags. At the historical event the former Pope Benedict XVI was present too. For the first time a living pope and a former pope co-celebrated a mass. During the ceremony, relics of each of the sanctified former popes were placed near the altar. “We declare and define blessed John XXIII and John Paul II to be saints and we enroll them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole church,” Francis said in his formal proclamation in Latin. John XXIII and John Paul II played leading roles on the world stage. “They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th century. They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them, “said Pope Francis defining their strong contribution. Francis also said he hoped the two new saints would intercede with God. About 850 cardinals and bishops were celebrating the mass with the Pope, and 700 priests were on hand to distribute communion to the huge crowd.
