Venezuela celebrates the canonization of the so-called "Doctor of the Poor," Jose Gregorio Hernandez. On Tuesday, Pope Francis canonized a physician who died more than 100 years ago, revered for his selfless service during a past pandemic.

Jose Gregorio Hernandez was born in 1864, studied in Paris, Berlin, Madrid and New York, and died in Caracas in 1919 after being struck by a car.

He will be the first Venezuelan saint, and although the official ceremony does not yet have a date, parishioners filled churches in thanks and celebration. The Vatican in a statement said Francis also decided to convene a formal meeting of cardinals to set the dates for future canonizations, but it was not immediately scheduled.

Pope Francis dedicated a catechesis at September 2023 and called him "first and foremost a doctor close to the weakest..., saw Jesus in the poor, the sick, migrants and the suffering."

"To the riches of money he preferred the riches of the Gospel, spending his existence to aid the needy. And the success he never sought in the world, he received, and continues to receive, from the people, who call him “saint of the people”, “apostle of charity”, “missionary of hope,” - Pope Francis noted.

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