Vatican City ? An Italian priest forced to quit a political post because of Fascist violence, an Italian nun and two Spaniards are among the latest faithful put on the road to sainthood by Pope John Paul II.

The beatifications Sunday in St. Peter’s Square raised to 1,324 the number of Roman Catholics upon whom the pontiff has bestowed the honor. Beatification is the last formal step before sainthood.

Doctors have urged the ailing 83-year-old pontiff to cut back on his taxing schedule, but John Paul has made such public ceremonies an important part of his shepherding of the Church, and he presided over the two-hour service on a damp day from the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.

He looked alert, reading the homily in its entirety and said the two newly beatified Spaniards could offer comfort for those grieving about the March 11 attacks in Madrid.

“Love is stronger than hate and death,” the pope declared, speaking in Spanish from the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica to several thousand pilgrims and tourists, including many groups from Spain.