Pope gives Venezuela reason to celebrate by canonising first saint

‘Doctor of the poor’ Jose Gregorio Hernandez, left, is beloved among Venezuelans, with his face depicted on street art around Caracas (Ariana Cubillos/AP)

Pope Leo will finally canonise Venezuela’s beloved “doctor of the poor” on Sunday, offering the Caribbean nation its first saint and a reason to celebrate amid its years-long economic crisis and new tensions with the United States.

Jose Gregorio Hernandez, revered by millions for his dedication to poor people, will be canonised alongside Mother Carmen Rendiles Martinez, the founder of a Venezuelan religious order, at a Mass in St Peter’s Square.