Parents of ‘Little Flower’ St Therese declared saints

Pope Francis has canonised the Catholic Church’s first married couple in modern times, declaring the parents of St Therese of Lisieux saints in their own right.

Francis told followers in St Peter’s Square that the couple, Louis and Zelie Martin, “practised Christian service in the family, which nurtured the vocations of their daughters”.

Francis is particularly devoted to the 19th century French Carmelite nun, fondly known as “The Little Flower,” who died at the age of 24 in 1897. He has had a copy of Therese’s Story Of A Soul on his bookshelf since his days as a novice and he has said that whenever he has a problem, he directs his prayers to Santa Teresita and often a white rose appears to him as a sign that she has heard his prayers.