Native American among seven new saints canonised

Pope Benedict XVI created seven saints yesterday, including the first Native American to be canonised, as the Catholic Church reaches out to its global flock in an attempt to rebuff encroaching secularism.

The celebration of figures who had suffered to promote the faith comes as the Church begins a drive to reclaim flagging congregations in former strongholds in the face of sex abuse scandals and dissent against Church teachings.

Thousands of pilgrims from around the world converged on St Peter’s Square to witness the ceremony recognising the saints, who included Kateri Tekakwitha, a 16th century convert known as “Lily of the Mohawks”.