Present at the ceremony, together with an estimated 2,500 Belgians who had made the pilgrimage to Rome, were the king and queen, prime minister Herman Van Rompuy and other Christian Democrat members of the federal government. The ceremony was attended by 128 members of the De Veuster family, as well as about 550 people from Hawaii, where Father Damien cared for those suffering from leprosy in the 19th century before dying from the disease himself at the age of 49.

US President Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, issued a statement: “I wish to express my deep admiration for the life of Blessed Damien de Veuster. I also want to convey my best wishes to the Kingdom of Belgium and its people, who are proud to count Fr Damien among their great citizens.”

President Obama continued: “Fr Damien has also earned a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians. I recall many stories from my youth about his tireless work there to care for those suffering from leprosy, who had been cast out. Following in the steps of Jesus’ ministry to the lepers, Fr Damien challenged the stigmatising effects of disease, giving voice to the voiceless and ultimately sacrificing his own life to bring dignity to so many.”

Four others were also canonised at Sunday’s ceremony: the French nun Jeanne Jugan (born 1792) founded the order of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Francesco Coll y Guitart (born 1812) was a Dominican priest, Rafael Arnaiz Baron (born 1911) was a Spanish mystic and Trappist monk, while Zygmunt Felinski (born 1822) was archbishop of Warsaw and founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary.

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