A nun waves a flag printed with a portrait of Sister Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception as Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the canonisation ceremony in St. Peter square at the Vatican on Sunday. Pope gave the Roman Catholic church four new saints, including Sister Alphonsa. — Reuters

Watched by over 5,000 Indian Christians who came here for the historic ceremony from India and other parts of the world as well as thousands of others, the Pope declared Sister Alphonsa from Bharanganam village in Kottayam district, who died at a young age of 36 in 1946, as a saint.

Many priests and guests who attended the ceremony at the St Peters Square said it was a great day for them particularly when Christians have been targeted in states like Orissa and Karnataka.

After her canonisation, Sister Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception has become the first woman from India to be conferred sainthood and the second Roman Catholic from the country after Gonsalo Garcia, who was conferred the honour in 1862.

Union labour minister Oscar Fernandes and other dignitaries from Kerala attended the special mass during which Sister Alphonsa was conferred Sainthood as enthusiastic Indians waved the national Tri-colour at the ceremony. A number of Bishops and Cardinals from the country, including many from Kerala, were also present on the occasion.

While conferring sainthood on Sister Alphonsa, the Pope read out passages from the Bible and excerpts from her biography. The Pope later met the Indian delegates and told them that "my prayers are with Christians (in India) in these difficult times," in an obvious reference to the violence against the community in states like Orissa and Karnataka. — PTI