Pope Francis canonizes 2 Indians and 4 Italians in packed St. Peter's ceremony

A faithful holds an Indian flag and a statuette of priest Elias Chavara prior to the start of a Canonization Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (The Associated Press)

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Prelates attend a Canonization mass for Eufrasia Eluvathingal, Amato Ronconi, Antonio Farina, Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Nicola Saggio da Longobardi and Amato Ronconi celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (The Associated Press)

The tapestry of sister Eufrasia Eluvathingal is displayed on the St. Peter's Basilica prior to the start of her Canonization mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (The Associated Press)

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has canonized six new saints, including a priest and a nun from the Indian state of Kerala, in a packed ceremony in St. Peter's Square.

The pope offered prayers Sunday for the saints, four Italians from disparate regions and two Indians from the Syro-Malabar Church, one of 22 Eastern rite churches that operates in full communion with Rome.

Some 5,000 faithful traveled from Kerala state for the event, which was also streamed live onto screens set up outside churches in the southern region of India.

The Rev. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, who lived in the 19th century, contributed to the expansion of the Syro-Malabar Church.

Eufrasia Eluvathingal, born in 1877 and baptized Rose, led a secluded life of prayer, becoming known as a "praying mother."