More than 60,000 people participated Sunday in the beatification of Capuchin monk Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire near Granada, paying homage to his life of humility and charity, police said.

Some 150 religious figures, including two cardinals, seven archbishops and 10 bishops attended the open-air mass at the military air base of Armilla, celebrating the life of the Spanish monk, who died in 1956, aged 92.

His tomb, in the Capuchin convent in Granada, has gained cult status and was described by a website dedicated to his beatification as "the most visited place in Granada after the Alhambra palace".

Beatification is a step towards sainthood granted by the Roman Catholic Church, giving recipients the title of Blessed.