Tens of thousands gather in Madrid for beatification of former leader of Roman Catholic Opus Dei 'cult'

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Madrid today to witness the beatification of an early leader of Opus Dei, an organisation within the Roman Catholic Church.

At a large outdoor Mass, Cardinal Angelo Amato began the process that will confirm the Blessed Alvaro del Portillo as a saint.

The Blessed Alvaro succeeded Opus Dei's founder, St Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, as the leader of the organisation.

Opus Dei, once considered a secretive, right-wing, cult-like group that curried high favour within the church, has been trying to foster a friendlier image in recent years.