Mother Teresa, world's most famous nun, will be elevated to sainthood today as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Pope Francis will lead the canonisation ceremony in the square which is expected to draw huge crowds of faithful and other admirers of Mother Teresa.
Let's carry Mother Teresa's Smile In Our Hearts: Pope
Paying tribute to Saint Teresa of Kolkata, Pope Francis official twitter handle posted: "Let us carry Mother Teresa's smile in our hearts and give it to those whom we meet along our journey."
With final blessings Pope Francis concludes the canonization ceremony.
As the canonization comes to an end, Pope Francis thanks all those who took part in the ceremony.
Colours of compassion
St Teresa's portrait adorns the front of the St Peter's Basilica. The portrait was commissioned by the Knights of Columbus and painted by Chas Fagan, an American artist.
Mission of mercy
In 1997, at the time of her death, St Teresa's Missionaries of Charity had over 3,000 members. 19 years later, as the popularity grew further, the mission has over 5,000 members.
St Teresa shamed world leaders, Says Pope Francis
Pope Francis praised Mother Teresa as the merciful saint who defended the lives of the unborn, sick and abandoned - and who shamed world leaders for the "crimes of poverty they themselves created." Speaking from the steps of St Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis said St Teresa, "made her voice heard before the powers of the world, so that they might recognize their guilt for the crimes of poverty they themselves created." As if to emphasize the point, Francis repeated the "the crimes of poverty they themselves created."
Apart from special Sunday Mass across various churches in India, a commemorative postage stamp of Mother Teresa was also released in Mumbai today to celebrate the canonisation of Mother Teresa in Rome.
Brazilian engineer Marcilio Andrino and his wife Fernanda Nascimento Rocha at the Vatican attend the ceremony. Andrino's cure of a viral brain infection, declared a miracle by Pope Francis earlier this year, was the final step needed to declare Mother Teresa a saint.
Admired and loved by all
Applause erupted in St Peter's Square even before Pope Francis finished pronouncing the rite of canonisation at the start of Mass, evidence of the admiration for Mother Teresa enjoyed from Christians and non-Christians alike.
The words, the ceremony and the Saint
"For the honour of the Blessed Trinity... we declare and define Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Kolkata) to be a Saint and we enroll her among the Saints, decreeing that she is to be venerated as such by the whole Church," the pontiff said in Latin.
Back home, nuns from the Missionaries of Charity watch a live telecast of the canonisation of Mother Teresa from Rome, at The Mother House in Kolkata.
Indian National Flags can be seen at St Peter's Basilica as Pope declares Mother Teresa as 'Saint Teresa of Calcutta'
Pope Francis declares Mother Teresa as Saint Of Calcutta.
Congregation begins the prayer during the ceremony
India's 'Mother of Miracle' on path of sainthood
A nun of the Missionary of Charity carries the Mother Teresa's relics prior to her canonisation at St Peter square in the Vatican.
After the mass, around 1,500 under-privileged people will be served a giant pizza lunch by 250 sisters and 50 male members of the Missionaries of Charity.
Mother Teresa's legacy complements Pope Francis's vision of a humble church that strives to serve the poor, and the festivities are a highlight of his Holy Year of Mercy, which runs until November 8.
Stage is set for the canonisation of Mother Teresa in Vatican.
Church of Messiah
Mother Theresa Church located on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram is the first church named after Mother Teresa in India.
106 roses for 106 years: A unique tribute by Mamata Banerjee
Mother Teresa would have been 106-year-old if she was alive today. To mark the glorious years, Mamata Banerjee presented a bouquet of 106 roses through a delegate at Mother House, the world headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi tweeted about Mother's canonisation
Cheering the pontiff in the canonisation ceremony will many nuns from Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity order, each wearing the characteristic white sari trimmed in blue that makes them easily identifiable worldwide where they care for the needy.
Across India, Special Sunday Mass are being held to celebrate Mother Teresa's canonisation.
Mother Teresa, best known for her work in Kolkata slum, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. A global icon, she was an inspiration for millions.
Clockwise: Mother Teresa with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, British royal Princess Diana and former US President Ronald Reagan. (AFP file photos)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also heading to Vatican
People take out rally to celebrating Mother Teresa 's canonisation in Allahabad
The sisterhood now has over 4,000 nuns worldwide.
Mother Teresa, one of the most recognisable faces of the 20th century, created Missionaries of Charity in 1950.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is among the Indian dignitaries who will attend ceremony
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is leading the Indian delegation
Pope Francis will lead the ceremony at St Peter's Square that will be attended by thousands
All roads lead to Vatican: Preparations are under way for the canonisation of Mother Teresa.
