Pope John Paul II prays 11 October on Saint-Peters square during the ceremony making Edith Stein a saint. Stein, a Carmelite sister converted from Judaism to Roman Catholicism after studying philosophy in Germany was gassed in Auschwitz during World War II. Pope also announced the same day that the Church will commemorate the Holocaust on August 09 each year, as this is the day when Edith Stein died.

TOPSHOT – Pope John Paul II prays during a mass for the canonization of Pedro De San Jose de Betancourt, a 17th-century Spanish missionary who dedicated his life to helping prisoners, abandoned children and the handicapped of Guatemala, in Guatemala City, 30 July 2002. An exhausted-looking Pope John Paul II 30 July officially named Central America’s first saint at an open-air mass before 700 000 faithful, where he called for respect of the rights of indigenous people.

SKOCZOW, POLAND – MAY 22: Pope John Paul II leads a canonization ceremony for Saint John Sarkander (Jan Sarkander) as he celebrates a mass in Skoczow in front of 200 000 faithful during his official visit to Poland on May 22, 1995 in Skoczow, Poland.

TOPSHOT – Pope John Paul II celebrates the Mass of canonization of Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoazin, the first Roman Catholic Church’s first Indian saint, at the Basilica of Guadeloupe, in Mexico, 31 July 2002. Mexico, one of the world’s largest Catholic countries, provided a warm reception for the pontiff at the end of his 10-day tour of the Americas.

TOPSHOT – Pope John Paul II prays during a mass for the canonization of Pedro De San Jose de Betancourt, a 17th-century Spanish missionary who dedicated his life to helping prisoners, abandoned children and the handicapped of Guatemala, in Guatemala City, 30 July 2002. An exhausted-looking Pope John Paul II Tuesday officially named Central America’s first saint at an open-air mass before 700 000 faithful, where he called for respect of the rights of indigenous people.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 05: Ailing pope John Paul II gave the Church three new saints: Italian Daniele Comboni, Austrian Josef Freinademetz and German Arnold Janssen during his 50th canonization led since becoming pontiff in 1978. in Rome, Italy on October 05th, 2003.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – APRIL 27: Pope Francis kisses the relic of Pope John XXIII as he leads the canonisation mass in which John Paul II and John XXIII are to be declared saints on April 27, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. Dignitaries, heads of state and Royals from Europe and across the World are to attend the canonisations.

VATICAN CITY- MAY 16: Pope John Paul II holds a canonization ceremony May 16, 2004 in Vatican City. Pope John Paul II named six new saints in front of thousands of pilgrims from all around the world.

VATICAN – JUNE 16: Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims jam St Peter’s square to see pope John Paul II make a Saint of Padre Pio, a 20th century mystic monk who is said to have been born the bleeding wounds of Christ for 50 years in Rome, Italy on June 16th, 2002.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – APRIL 27: A general view of the atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square as Pope Francis leads the Canonization Mass in which John Paul II and John XXIII are to be declared saints on April 27, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. Dignitaries, heads of state and Royals from Europe and across the World are to attend the canonisations.

VATICAN – JUNE 16: Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims jam St Peter’s square to see pope John Paul II make a Saint of Padre Pio, a 20th century mystic monk who is said to have been born the bleeding wounds of Christ for 50 years in Rome, Italy on June 16th, 2002.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003

VATICAN – JUNE 16: Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims jam St Peter’s square to see pope John Paul II make a Saint of Padre Pio, a 20th century mystic monk who is said to have been born the bleeding wounds of Christ for 50 years in Rome, Italy on June 16th, 2002.

TOPSHOT – Pope Francis greets the crowd from his popemobile after the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter’s at the Vatican on April 27, 2014. Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome on Sunday for a mass presided by Pope Francis to confer sainthood on John Paul II and John XXIII — two influential popes who helped shape 20th century history.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 05: Ailing pope John Paul II gave the Church three new saints: Italian Daniele Comboni, Austrian Josef Freinademetz and German Arnold Janssen during his 50th canonization led since becoming pontiff in 1978 in Rome, Italy on October 05th, 2003.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 05: Ailing pope John Paul II gave the Church three new saints: Italian Daniele Comboni, Austrian Josef Freinademetz and German Arnold Janssen during his 50th canonization led since becoming pontiff in 1978. in Rome, Italy on October 05th, 2003.

TOPSHOT – Bishops attend the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter’s at the Vatican on April 27, 2014. Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome on Sunday for a mass presided by Pope Francis to confer sainthood on John Paul II and John XXIII — two influential popes who helped shape 20th century history.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – APRIL 27: Pope Francis greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the end of the Canonization Mass in which John Paul II and John XXIII have been declared Saints on April 27, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. Dignitaries, heads of state and Royals from Europe and across the World are to attend the canonisations.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – APRIL 27: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI arrives at the Canonisation Mass in which John Paul II and John XXIII are to be declared saints on April 27, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. Dignitaries, heads of state and Royals from Europe and across the World are to attend the canonisations.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN: Pope John Paul II arrives at the canonization mass for Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer at Saint Peter Square in the Vatican, 06 October 2002. An estimated 250,000 pilgrims from around the world attend the ceremony.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: John Paul II and Javier Echevarria, leader of the Opus Dei in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA – JULY 30: Pope John Paul II is seated under a photo of Pedro de San Jose Betancur after arriving at Mass July 30, 2002 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The pope declared Betancur a saint, the first from Guatemala. After the Mass the pope will depart for Mexico.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN: Pope John Paul II waves to pilgrims on Saint Peter Square 21 May 2000 during a mass for the canonization of 27 Mexican priests and laymen, 25 of them are martyrs. It’s the most important canonization ceremony of South Americans of the Catholic Church’s story.

Pope John Paul II blesses believers during a Holly mass marking the canonization of sister Marije Petkovic in the Croatian town of Dubrovnik, 06 June 2003. This is the second day of the Pontiff’s 100 international trip.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – APRIL 25: A tapestry depicting the late Pope John Paul II hangs on the balcony of St Peters basilica on April 25, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. The late Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be canonized on Sunday 27 April, inside the Vatican when 800,000 pilgrims from around the world are expected to attend.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003

POLAND – AUGUST 17: Consecration of the Basilica of God’s Mercy, dedicated to the mystic nun Faustine, born Helena Kowalska, whom he canonized in 2000 in Cracow, Poland on August 17th, 2002.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

ITALY – OCTOBER 03: Hundreds of pilgrims from all the world went to pray in front of the remains of Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer in Santo Eugenio’s basilica three days before his canonization by pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy on October 3rd, 2002.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003

VATICAN – MAY 18: The pope created four new Saints: 2 poles and 2 Italians in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – APRIL 25: A tapestry depicting the late Pope John Paul II hangs on the balcony of St Peter’s basilica on April 25, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. The late Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be canonised on Sunday 27 April, inside the Vatican when 800,000 pilgrims from around the world are expected to attend.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 05: Ailing pope John Paul II gave the Church three new saints: Italian Daniele Comboni, Austrian Josef Freinademetz and German Arnold Janssen during his 50th canonization led since becoming pontiff in 1978. in Rome, Italy on October 05th, 2003.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003.

VATICAN – JUNE 16: Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims jam St Peter’s square to see pope John Paul II make a Saint of Padre Pio, a 20th century mystic monk who is said to have been born the bleeding wounds of Christ for 50 years in Rome, Italy on June 16th, 2002.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003

TOPSHOT – A Roman Catholic faithful visits the colonial city of Old Guatemala, 45 kms south of Guatemala City, 30 July 2003 to venerate the first Central American saint, Brother Pedro San Jose de Betancourt, who was canonized one year ago by Pope John Paul II. The Vatican has yet to fix an official date for the veneration of the saint.

TOPSHOT – A view of a crowded St. Peter’s Square during a canonization ceremony held by Pope John Paul II, 18 May 2003. John Paul II canonized four new saints on the day of his 83rd birthday.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002. (Photo by Eric VANDEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY – JULY 31: A painting depicting Juan Diego is put into place after Pope John Paul II canonized him during a Mass July 31, 2002 at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The pope canonized Juan Diego, to whom the Virgin of Guadalupe first appeared in 1531.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – JUNE 16: Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims jam St Peter’s square to see pope John Paul II make a Saint of Padre Pio, a 20th century mystic monk who is said to have been born the bleeding wounds of Christ for 50 years in Rome, Italy on June 16th, 2002.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003.

VATICAN – MAY 18: Pope John Paul II celebrated his 83rd birthday during a canonization mass before thousands of faithful and in presence of the Savoy Royal family in Rome, Italy on May 18th, 2003.

TOPSHOT – Pope Francis greets the crowd from his popemobile after the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter’s at the Vatican on April 27, 2014. Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome on Sunday for a mass presided by Pope Francis to confer sainthood on John Paul II and John XXIII — two influential popes who helped shape 20th century history.

Men dressed in centurion stand by a portrait of Pope John Paul II in Rome, as the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II takes place on St Peter’s at the Vatican on April 27, 2014. Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome on Sunday for a mass presided by Pope Francis to confer sainthood on John Paul II and John XXIII — two influential popes who helped shape 20th century history.

TOPSHOT – General view of the crowd gathered for the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter’s square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014. Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome on Sunday for a mass presided by Pope Francis to confer sainthood on John Paul II and John XXIII — two influential popes who helped shape 20th century history.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 06: Pope John Paul II canonizes Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer before one of the biggest crowds ever to flood the Vatican in Rome, Italy on October 6th, 2002.

VATICAN – OCTOBER 05: Ailing pope John Paul II gave the Church three new saints: Italian Daniele Comboni, Austrian Josef Freinademetz and German Arnold Janssen during his 50th canonization led since becoming pontiff in 1978. in Rome, Italy on October 05th, 2003.