Poles watch John Paul II's beatification

KRAKOW (AP):

Tens of thousands of Poles braved cold, rainy weather yesterday to travel to locations where they could watch the beatification ceremony of their beloved countryman, John Paul II, on large-screen TVs.

The Vatican's ornate ceremony was a key step to sainthood of John Paul, whom many in predominantly Catholic Poland already consider a saint and credit with helping to topple this nation's communist regime more than 20 years ago.

The ceremony was broadcast live at several places across Poland, including the Sanctuary of God's Mercy in the Lagiewniki district of Krakow and the main squares in Krakow, Warsaw and in Wadowice, where the pontiff was born in 1920 as Karol Wojtyla.

Masses, processions and concerts also were held in churches and city centres to mark the beatification of one of the longest serving popes. For 25 years, he stood at the helm of the Vatican, but also closely followed the tumultuous fate of his native Poland.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his wife, Malgorzata, watched yesterday's ceremony together with Wadowice residents.