ANDRIA HALL, CNN ANCHOR: The Chinese government is also unhappy with an event in another square, St. Peters Square in Vatican City. Pope John Paul II declared 120 Chinese and foreign missionaries saints. China calls their canonization an open insult. CNN's Gayle Young with more now.</s>GAYLE YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Under gray clouds, Pope John Paul II created new saints and new controversy in St. Peters Square. The Chinese government said it was an insult to canonize 120 martyrs from China. They were European and Chinese nationals killed during a series of anti-Catholic purges that lasted until 1930. The pope said the martyrs were role models; the Chinese contend that at least some of them were missionaries endangering traditional Chinese culture. There is an official state-run Catholic church in China that exists alongside an underground Catholic church that oaths its allegiance to Rome. Chinese at the canonization ceremony were uncomfortable, not wanting to criticize their government or the church. "The government is angry," said this man, "but the people do not care about these things." Most of the tens of thousands huddling under umbrellas at St. Peters Square were there to celebrate the canonization of an American, Katherine Drexel, a debutante turned nun who died in 1955. She spent her considerable fortune helping African and Native Americans throughout the Southern United States.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She was particularly devoted to the cause of African-Americans and also the Indians, so -- the Native Americans -- so she was an incredibly generous woman, she had a great fortune, all of which she devoted to charitable work.</s>YOUNG: Also canonized, Africa's first saint: a Sudanese woman brought as a slave to Italy in the 19th century. These celebrations were somewhat overshadowed, though, by the controversy with China. Observers say relations between the Vatican and Beijing, never warm, could turn very chilly. The Chinese were also angry the canonization coincided with China's National Day. Perhaps the weather caused Pope John Paul II to look particularly tired, or perhaps it was secular politics weighing heavily on a deeply spiritual man. Gayle Young, CNN, Rome.
Chinese Government Upset With Vatican Over Canonization of Chinese Missionaries