Worldwide celebrations for the most travelled pope in history

CATHOLICS worldwide celebrated the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II, with the faithful jamming into churches to pray and witness on giant television screens the Vatican ceremony that brought him one step closer to possible sainthood.

Pope Benedict XVI bestowed one of the Catholic Church’s greatest honours to Polish-born Karol Wojtyla, the most travelled Pope ever, having visited 129 countries in his 27-year papacy.

In the Philippines, thousands of worshippers flocked to see mementoes from his visit 16 years ago.