Pope beatifies ‘brave’ Mother Teresa

MOTHER TERESA of Calcutta, the humble nun known as the “saint of the gutters”, was beatified by Pope John Paul II before 300,000 pilgrims massed yesterday in St Peter’s Square.

In a shaky and halting voice, John Paul proclaimed Mother Teresa blessed, a major step on the path to sainthood.

Police and Vatican security officials estimated the crowd at 300,000, one of the Vatican's largest ever.