Emeritus Pope Benedict To Attend Canonizations Of Popes John XXIII, John Paul II

Emeritus Pope Benedict To Attend Weekend's Canonizations
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - FEBRUARY 27: Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he leaves St Peter's Square at the end of his final general audience on February 27, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff attended his last weekly public audience before stepping down tomorrow. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - FEBRUARY 27: Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he leaves St Peter's Square at the end of his final general audience on February 27, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff attended his last weekly public audience before stepping down tomorrow. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

VATICAN CITY, April 26 (Reuters) - Emeritus Pope Benedict will attend the canonisation Mass in St. Peter's Square on Sunday at which Pope Francis will proclaim the late Popes John XXIII and John Paul II saints of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican said on Saturday.

It will be only the second time Benedict attends a public liturgical function in the Vatican since he resigned on Feb. 28, 2013. He took part in a ceremony to make new cardinals in February this year. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Erica Billingham)

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April 19, 2005 -- Elected Pope

Pope Benedict XVI's Milestones

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