Vatican releases sainthood dates for former popes

Pope Francis has said that Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be formally declared saints on April 27, 2014, reports said.

The announcement was made by Pope Francis on Monday while at a meeting with cardinals, the Associated Press and other media outlets reported, citing the Vatican.

In July, Pope Francis said he would canonize the two popes together.

The AP reported that analysts have said the decision to canonize them together was aimed at unifying the church since each has his own admirers and critics.