VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI canonized seven new saints on Sunday in Saint Peter's Square, including two Americans.
Kateri Tekakwitha, also known as the "Lily of the Mohawks," is the first Native American saint. Tekakwitha has long been an icon for some 700,000 Native American Catholics.
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The other American canonized was Marianne Cope, a 19th century Franciscan nun who cared for lepers in Hawaii.
To become a saint, the Vatican must certify a "miracle" was performed through the intercession of the candidate.
The canonization coincided with a Vatican meeting of the world's bishops that focused on reviving Christianity.