Pope canonises first Australian saint, Mary MacKillop

Pope Benedict XVI has officially recognized Australia's first saint, Mary MacKillop, a Melbourne-born nun who worked with needy children.

She was canonized with five others, including Brother Andre, a Canadian monk credited with miraculous healings.

MacKillop, who died in 1909, clashed with senior clergy and was briefly excommunicated, in part for exposing a sex-abusing priest.