VATICAN CITY - For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul yesterday beatified a gypsy, who died during the Spanish civil war attempting to save the life of a young priest. Tens of thousands of gypsies from the world over attended the ceremony which honoured Cerefino Gimenez Malla, also known as El Pele.
Jimenez, a strong willed Spanish Gitane, prospered in trade and gained a reputation for honesty. He was arrested in 1936 by an anti clerical militia after he publicly defended a priest.
