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Pope John Paul II marked his 83rd birthday with a ceremony in St Peter's Square to canonise four new saints.

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The pontiff arrived aboard his trademark popemobile

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There was jubilation and cheering among the tens of thousands in the crowd

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The pope - who suffers from Parkinson's disease - looked fitter and happier than in recent months

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He smiled back as he the crowd chanted "Sto lat" in his native Polish, meaning "May you live a 100 years".

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The crowd also sang Happy Birthday and held banners wishing the Pope good health.

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He created four new saints - two Poles and two Italians - holding them up as models for Christians today