Francis has been complaining of strained ligaments in his right knee for months, and has recently been seen using a wheelchair at public audiences. Sunday's ceremony was evidence that Francis is still able to still walk, but appears to be taking it as easy as possible to let the ligaments heal before an intense period of travel starting in July: The Vatican has confirmed two trips that month, one to Congo and South Sudan and one to Canada.
It was the first canonization Mass at the Vatican since before the coronavirus pandemic and, aside from Easter celebrations last month, drew one of the biggest crowds in recent times.
The Italian president, Dutch foreign minister, French interior minister and the minister for minorities of India, as well as tens of thousands of faithful packed the sunny piazza, which was adorned with Dutch flowers in honor of the Rev. Titus Brandsma, a martyr saint who was killed at the Dachau concentration camp in 1942.
In the runup to the canonization, a group of Dutch and German journalists formally proposed that Brandsma become a co-patron saint of journalists, alongside St. Francis de Sales, given his work to combat propaganda and fake news during the rise of Fascism and Nazism in Europe. According to an open letter sent to Francis this month, the journalists noted that Brandsma successfully argued for a ban on printing Nazi propaganda in Catholic newspapers. There has been no immediate response from the pope.
In addition to Brandsma, the new saints include the 18th-century Indian convert Lazarus, known also as Devashayam, who mixed with India's lower castes and was considered treasonous by India’s royal palace, which ordered him arrested and executed in 1752.
“He is for the poor people," said Arachi Syril, an Indian pilgrim from Kanyakumari who was in the square for the Mass. "He hated the caste system, still it is going on, but he is the martyr for that,” Syril said.
Also canonized was César de Bus, a French priest who founded the Fathers of Christian Doctrine religious order and died in 1607; Luigi Maria Palazzolo, an Italian priest who cared for orphans and died in 1886; Giustino Maria Russolillo, an Italian priest who founded a religious order dedicated to promoting religious vocations and died in 1955; and Charles de Foucauld, a French missionary who, after rediscovering his faith as a young man, decided to live among the Tuareg peoples in the Algerian Sahara and was killed in 1916.
The four nuns are: Marie Rivier, who overcame a sickly childhood in France to become a nun and found a religious order and died in 1838; Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto, an Italian nun who helped found a religious order and died in 1904 in Montevideo, Uruguay; and Italians Maria di Gesù Santocanale and Domenica Mantovani, who founded religious orders and died in 1923 and 1934 respectively.
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AP visual journalist Gianfranco Stara contributed.
CaptionPope Francis sits by the relics of ten new saints on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, where he celebrated their canonization mass. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis sits by the relics of ten new saints on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, where he celebrated their canonization mass. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis walks by the relics of nine new saints as he arrives on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate their canonization mass. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis walks by the relics of nine new saints as he arrives on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate their canonization mass. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis walks by the relics of nine new saints as he arrives on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate their canonization mass. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis walks by the relics of nine new saints as he arrives on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate their canonization mass. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, second from left and his wife Rose-Marie Devillers, left, attend with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, right, the canonization mass of ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, celebrated by Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, second from left and his wife Rose-Marie Devillers, left, attend with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, right, the canonization mass of ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, celebrated by Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis walks by the relics of ten new saints as he arrives on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate their canonization mass. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis walks by the relics of ten new saints as he arrives on the altar in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate their canonization mass. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Faithful wait in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, for the canonization mass of nine new saints celebrated by Pope Francis. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Faithful wait in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, for the canonization mass of nine new saints celebrated by Pope Francis. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis arrives in a car in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate the canonization mass of nine new saints. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis arrives in a car in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate the canonization mass of nine new saints. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Tapestries with images of nine new saints are on display in S.t Peter's Square at The Vatican Sunday, May 15, 2022, before the start of their canonization mass led by pope Francis. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Tapestries with images of nine new saints are on display in S.t Peter's Square at The Vatican Sunday, May 15, 2022, before the start of their canonization mass led by pope Francis. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis arrives in a car in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate the canonization mass of nine new saints. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis arrives in a car in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, to celebrate the canonization mass of nine new saints. (AP Photo Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), top, and Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), top, and Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), top, and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), top, and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), top, and Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), top, and Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting César de Bus (1544-1607), top, and Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting César de Bus (1544-1607), top, and Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Marie Rivier, left, (1768-1838), and Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestry depicting Marie Rivier, left, (1768-1838), and Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904) hangs in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption The tapestries depicting ten new saints, from left and top to bottom, Marie Rivier (1768-1838), Maria Francesca di Gesù Rubatto (1844-1904), César de Bus (1544-1607), Luigi Maria Palazzolo (1827-1886), Titus Brandsma (1881-1942), Lazzaro alias Devasahayam (1712-1752), Giustino Maria Russolillo (1891-1955), Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916), Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), and Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934) hang in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022, during their canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis is helped walking at the end of the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis is helped walking at the end of the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis kisses a child as he leaves at the end of the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis kisses a child as he leaves at the end of the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis gives the holy communion during the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis gives the holy communion during the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Participants in the canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis for ten new saints arrive in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Participants in the canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis for ten new saints arrive in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis is helped walking as he celebrates the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis is helped walking as he celebrates the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis celebrates the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis celebrates the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis is cheered by cardinals and bishops at the end of the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Caption Pope Francis is cheered by cardinals and bishops at the end of the canonization mass for ten new saints in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Francis created ten new saints on Sunday, rallying from knee pain that has forced him to use a wheelchair to preside over the first canonization ceremony at the Vatican in over two years. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
Credit: Gregorio Borgia
