Sainthood for murdered Salvadoran, Pope Paul VI

Tapestries of Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero (l) and Pope Paul VI hang from a balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Saturday [AFP]

Slain Salvadoran archbishop Oscar Romero and Pope Paul VI, Catholic giants who sparked controversy during their lifetimes, will join the church's highest rank Sunday with an elevation to sainthood.

Pope Francis will wear a blood-stained rope belt which belonged to Romero, who was murdered at the altar, as he leads the ceremony in front of some 60,000 pilgrims and heads of state from across the world.