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Pope Benedict XVI names 5 new saints

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The Associated Press

Published: April 26, 2009

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI is canonizing five new saints, including Portugal's 14th century independence leader and an Italian monk who died of the plague after tending to the sick.

Benedict is presiding over the ceremony in St. Peter's Square, decorated with tapestries featuring pictures of each of the five.

The only non-Italian in the lineup is Nuno Alvares Pereira, who led Portuguese forces to defeat the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, securing the independence of Portugal. After
leaving the military, he entered religious life as a Carmelite.

Also canonized was Bernardo Tolomei, who founded the Congregation of St. Mary of the Mount of Olives in the 1340s. He died in 1348 along with 82 of his monks after tending to plague victims.

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