Pope Benedict XVI canonises Australia's first saint

Vatican: Tens of thousands of people have packed St. Peter's Square for the canonisation of Australia's first saint and that of a Canadian brother considered by the faithful a "miracle worker."

Four other people, from Poland, Italy and Spain, were also being declared saints Sunday during a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

A cheer broke out in the crowd when Mary MacKillop's name was announced, evidence of the significant turnout of flag-toting Australians celebrating a 19th century nun who was briefly excommunicated in part because her order exposed a pedophile priest.

Quebec's flag was also out in force in support of Brother Andre Bessette, born in 1845, who legend says healed thousands of sick who prayed with him at his Montreal oratory.