JOHN PAUL II'S BEATIFICATION

The Vatican has hosted its biggest event in years - the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II.

The globe-trotting Pope credited with contributing to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe was blessed in St Peter's Square on Sunday 1 May.

The ceremony attracted more than one million people - the biggest crowd in Rome since John Paul II's death, and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, six years ago. Four million pilgrims came on that occasion.

When Pope John Paul II died in April 2005, there were shouts from the throngs of pilgrims who came to pay him their last respects: "Santo subito!" or "Make him a saint right now!".

Beatification is normally the Catholic Church's official authorisation for the local veneration of a person considered to have led an exemplary holy life. Canonisation means that this person may be venerated anywhere in the world.