Pope John Paul II has declared Padre Pio a saint to cheers from one of the Vatican's biggest crowds ever.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims spilled over from St Peter's Square and filled the streets trying to reach the mystic 20th century monk's ceremony.
Many had arrived hours before the ceremony began to secure a seat. As the Pope began reciting opening prayers, paramedics had to tend to people feeling faint from the heat and humidity.
The Pope, who looked weak, said: "We inscribe in the roll of saints, and we declare in the entire Church that he be honoured with devotion among the saints."
Police had no immediate crowd estimates, and thousands of people were still arriving well into the ceremony.
The Pope, who early in his priesthood once journeyed from Poland to have his confession heard by Padre Pio, is the monk's leading admirer.
Only a few decades ago, the Vatican hierarchy scorned Pio, and at one point, the monk, whose hands and feet bore bleeding wounds, likened to the wounds of Jesus at crucifixion, was ordered silenced by the Church.
But in recent years, the Vatican's approved the miracles needed for Pio to progress down the path to sainthood.
One of those declared miraculously healed was a young Italian boy from the southern town where Pio preached.
PA