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Pope Francis officially declared Mother Teresa a saint before a crowded St. Peter's Square on Sunday morning, 19 years after her death.

Applause broke out from the tens of thousands in attendance even before Pope Francis finished the canonization at the start of Mass.

Globally revered by both Christians and non-Christians for her lifetime of service to the world's most destitute and sick, Mother Teresa most notably worked in the slums of Calcutta, India, and a number of other countries. Pope Francis described her as an "eloquent witness to God's closeness to the poorest of the poor."

His formal declaration marks a highlight for the pope's Jubilee Year of Mercy, in which he recognizes the nun as an icon of mercy.

But the declaration of sainthood does not come without questions surrounding Mother Teresa's legacy, by critics who believe her fame exceeded her service.

Setting controversy aside, what does this formal rite of canonization mean for her title — do we now call her "Saint Teresa?"

Religion and Faith

Emma Bowman

Author

She's long been considered a model of selflessness by many, for a lifetime of service to the world's most impoverished. Sunday's canonization marks a highlight for the pope's Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Mother Teresa becomes a saint as Pope Francis performs canonization ceremony

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