Hundreds witness Pope canonise first Australian saint, Mary MacKillop

Hundreds of Australians have travelled to Rome to witness the Pope canonise Mary MacKillop.



Pope Benedict XVI has officially recognised Australia's first saint, Mary MacKillop, a Melbourne-born nun who worked with needy children.



She was canonised with five others, including Brother Andre, a Canadian monk credited with miraculous healings.



MacKillop, who died in 1909, clashed with senior clergy and was briefly excommunicated, in part for exposing a sex-abusing priest.



Thousands of Australians are in Rome to witness the ceremony.



Pope Benedict XVI, canonised the six saints in St Peter's Square in front of some 50,000 people.



He declared that "throughout the Church they be honoured devoutly among all the saints".