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SALVADORAN Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was murdered while giving mass in 1980, was made a saint by Pope Francis today in a Vatican ceremony.
The Pontiff reportedly wore the blood-stained belt of Mr Romero during the service, which was attended by numerous heads of state.
He told the 60,000-strong crowd: “We declare and define Paul VI and Oscar Arnulfo Romero Galdamez to be saints and we enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole church.”
Described by the far-right as “a guerilla in a cassock,” Mr Romero spoke out against the United States-backed death squads who killed and tortured leftists to stop them gaining power in El Salvador.
In his last public address he said: “The law of God which says thou shalt not kill must come before any human order to kill. It is high time you recovered your conscience.
“I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: Stop the repression.”
He was shot dead the next day while giving mass in a hospital chapel. His killers have never been brought to justice.
