Pope Francis elevates 2 Quebecers to sainthood

Two Quebecers are among three new saints declared by Pope Francis.

Ste-Marie-de-l'Incarnation and St-Franois-de-Lavalwere named in decrees signed by the Pope.

The other new saint is St. Jose de Anchieta of Brazil.

Ste-Marie-de-l'Incarnation was a French Ursuline who came to Quebec in 1639 from France and established the order in what would become Canada.

St-Franois-de-Laval arrived in Quebec about 20 years after her and became the province'sfirst bishop.

The Pope used a process called "equivalent canonization" to declare the trio of saints.

Quebec Archbishop Gerald Cyprien Lacroix hailed the news on Thursday.

"Their life is certainly an encouragement to us today who work for the new evangelization and engage in building a more humane world," he said at a news conference in Quebec City.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper described the event as "a great honour for Canada and a marvellous day for Catholics."