Pope beatifies 500 Spanish martyrs

THE Vatican held the biggest Mass beatification in history yesterday, putting nearly 500 Catholics killed during the Spanish civil war on the path to possible sainthood.

But the outdoor ceremony in St Peter’s Square, attended by tens of thousands of Spanish pilgrims, also revived bitter memories of a conflict that still divides Spain.

Many Catholic clergy and Church leaders sided with Francisco Franco during the 1936-39 conflict, which began when the general led a military coup against the left-wing government and ended with his victory and installation as a dictator.