Pope John Paul II blesses pilgrims as he arrives to beatify Mother Teresa in St Peter's Square.
The 83 year-old pontiff, whose health has been cause for concern in recent times, was helped through the ceremony by his cardinals.
At the start the pope proclaimed Mother Teresa blessed. He said that in Mother Teresa, mankind recognises the urgency of rendering a state of service, especially for the poorest and most forgotten, and praised her as an icon of the good Samaritan.
He said her greatness lay "in her ability to give, without counting the cost, to give until it hurts".