Emperor and mystic nun beatified

Emmerich was inspiration for a Hollywood film

Pope John Paul II has declared five Roman Catholics blessed, including the last Austro-Hungarian emperor and a nun who inspired a Hollywood film.

About 30,000 people turned up to watch the ceremony and images of the five being unfurled on St Peter's Basilica.

Beatification is the penultimate step on the path to full sainthood.

However, the beatification of Emperor Karl I has been criticised by some as he authorised the use of poison gas by his army in World War I.

European 'example'

Karl I sat on the throne of the now defunct empire between 1916 and 1918.

I hope Emperor Karl will serve as an example, especially for those with political responsibilities in Europe today Pope John Paul II Profiles: Emmerich and Karl I

The Austrian press has also questioned the miracle he allegedly worked to merit beatification.

According to the Vatican, he cured a Brazilian nun of varicose veins.

About 1,000 descendants of the Hapsburg dynasty attended Sunday's ceremony.

"I hope Emperor Karl will serve as an example, especially for those with political responsibilities in Europe today," the Pope said.

The veneration of Anne Catherine Emmerich, a 19th Century German nun born in extreme poverty who spent most of her life as an invalid, has also sparked outrage.

Her visions of Christ were described in great detail in a book published after her death which was used by Hollywood director Mel Gibson as a source for his recent controversial film The Passion of the Christ.

BEATIFICATION Beatification requires that a miracle has occurred Group approaches local bishop After Rome's approval an investigation is launched Findings are sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints Case is presented to the Pope Blessed may be accorded a feast day Relics of the candidate may be venerated Canonisation (Actual sainthood ) requires proof of a second miracle

The film has been criticised by some Jewish groups as being anti-Semitic for portraying the role played by Jews in causing Christ's death.

But the Pope praised Emmerich's pious character and concern for the poor.

The other three who were beatified on Sunday are:

• Italian-born nun Maria Ludovica De Angelis
• French monk Joseph-Marie Cassant
• Frenchman Pierre Vigne who founded an order of nuns.

All five candidates were praised "for the marvellous things that the Lord did through these good and faithful servants".

Despite his frailty, the pope still insists on carrying out his public engagements and continues to receive visitors at the Vatican although he has no further plans to travel outside Rome this year.

The Pope has now beatified some 1,340 people, more than all his predecessors combined, Reuters news agency says.