Mugabe attends Pope Paul VI beatification

Pope Francis has beatified Pope Paul VI at a holy mass held at St Peters Square in the Vatican City in Italy this Sunday.

President Robert Mugabe and the First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe and several Catholics, who included some world leaders, attended the ceremony after which they received Holy Communion.

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI also graced the beatification which drew thousands of Catholics from across the globe and several dignitaries.

The beatification was held after a meeting of catholic bishops from around the world approved a document that allows the Roman Catholic Church to adopt a more pastoral approach to ministering.

Two of the most topical issues discussed by the bishops included the issue of adopting a softer stance towards homosexuals and whether to give Holy Communion to divorced and remarried couples.

However, the bishops did not reach a consensus on the two issues and the matter will now be carried over to another meeting of bishops scheduled for next year.

Pope Paul VI is the third to be elevated this year by Pope Francis XVI and his beatification is the last stage to the sainthood.

Pope Paul was elevated Pope in 1963 and he reigned for 15 years.

He is accredited for implementing a number of reforms in the Catholic Church during his tenure.