Pope Francis canonizes two new Catholic saints

Pope Francis on Sunday canonized two new Catholic saints, Pope Paul VI and slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, saying both men cared for the poor and fought for praiseworthy causes, according to The Associated Press. 

Some 70,000 people gathered in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City as Francis announced their canonization. Thousands of Salvadorans were in attendance to celebrate Romero, who was blocked from martyrdom under a right-wing Catholic church for years, according to the AP.

Francis during his speech wore the rope belt that Romero wore when he was killed by right-wing death squads in 1980, the AP reported.{mosads}

Romero was the archbishop of San Salvador in the late 1970s, as right-wing violence against a left-wing uprising raged in El Salvador. Romero spoke out against the army until he was killed at the order of a right-wing politician and death squad leader. 

Francis lauded Romero for leaving “the security of the world, even his own safety” in order to be “close to the poor and to his people,” American Magazine reported. 

Romero has long been considered a Latin American hero and saint-like figure. Previous popes refused to canonize him for fear of popularizing the left-wing ideology that he embodied, the AP reported.

Paul was pope from 1963-1978 when the Catholic Church was undergoing disruptive reforms. Francis said he knew that “the love of money is the root of all evils.”

“Where money is at the center, there is no room for God or for man,” the pope reportedly said. 

Paul popularized the ideology that Francis embodies today — an emphasis on salvation for the poor and marginalized. 

Francis during the ceremony, which was attended by multiple world leaders, used Paul’s staff and robe.

“Jesus is radical,” Francis said. “He gives all, and he asks all. He gives a total love and asks for an undivided heart.”