Pope to canonise American Indian

HIS voice trembling with exhaustion and infirmity, Pope John Paul II told Mexicans yesterday it was "with deep joy" that he would canonise the Roman Catholic Church's first American Indian saint.

Hundreds of thousands of faithful sang, cheered and sobbed along Mexico City streets as John Paul waved to them from his Popemobile.

"Brother John Paul, now you are Mexican," jubilant crowds chanted.