Two young children who had visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago in Fatima, a Portuguese site now a global draw for pilgrims, have been declared saints by Pope Francis. "We declare the blissful Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto saints, and we register them on the list of saints, declaring that they must be venerated as such by the Church," he said.
Up to one million people were expected to attend the canonisation mass at the shrine for the children.
The Vatican believes the children received messages from the Madonna that have become known as the three secrets of Fatima.
"For this blessed moment that culminates a century of blessed moments, I rejoice in your preparations of intense prayer," the pope said in a message to the Portuguese people ahead of his two-day visit.
Fatima is a town in central Portugal where the apparitions were recorded.
The story of shepherd children Francisco and Jacinta Marto has captivated Catholics since their first reported vision on 13 May 1917.
Their first vision was of hell and a call to prayer and conversion, which if not heeded would lead to another world war.
The second was a warning that Russia would "spread her errors" in the world if people did not turn to God.
The third secret intrigued the world for nearly three-quarters of a century, inspiring books and cults.
Only in 2000 did the Vatican say the third secret was a prediction of the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, who survived and gave the bullet that hit him to the bishop of Fatima.
It was later put into the crown of the statue of Fatima and many Portuguese say the bullet was a perfect fit, providing evidence of the vision.
The Catholic Church posthumously confers sainthood on people considered so holy during their lives that they are now believed to be with God and can intercede with him to perform miracles.
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Title :
Young Children Who Had Visions Of Virgin Mary 100 Years Ago Declared Saints By Pope Francis...
Description : Two young children who had visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago in Fatima, a Portuguese site now a global draw for pilgrims, have been d...
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