Pope creates five new saints

Those canonised in a ceremony at the Vatican include Portugal's national hero Nuno Alvares Pereira.

Pope Benedict on Sunday created five new saints.

Among them is Portuguese national hero Nuno Alvares Pereira.

Efforts to canonise the mediaeval warrior-monk have been going on since the 15th Century.

He was beatified in 1918.

But his accession to sainthood has only happened after the "miracle" healing of a woman's eye burned by hot oil in 2000.

In his lifetime the 14th century nobleman was credited with securing Portugal's independence from Castile in the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota.

The Pope praised his devotion to his principles.

SOUNDBITE: Pope Benedict saying (Portuguese):

"I am happy to bring this person of an exemplary nature into the Church. His life was always filled with faith and prayers, even in difficult situations, showing that in any situation, even of a military and warlike nature, it is possible to act and live out the values and principles of Christianity, especially because they serve the common good."

The other saints created by the Pontiff were three 19th Century Italians and a 14th Century Sienese aristocrat who died with 82 of his monks helping plague victims.

Paul Chapman, Reuters