A record six million people poured into Manila’s rain-soaked streets and its biggest park as Pope Francis ended his Asian pilgrimage with an appeal for Filipinos to protect their young from sin and vice so they can instead become missionaries of the faith.

Pope Francis has cleared Pope John Paul II for sainthood, approving a miracle attributed to his intercession and setting up a dual canonisation along with another beloved pope, John XXIII.

Pope Benedict XVI has opened the process for the sainthood of Pope John Paul II.

In an era of global terrorism and sex scandals in his church, a frail Pope John Paul will join young people from around the globe this week at World Youth Day festivities intended to invigorate spiritual devotion.