The Venezuelan government reaffirmed its support for the Catholic Church in the preparations for the canonization of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles, during a meeting between President Nicolás Maduro and a church delegation at La Casona Cultural Aquiles Nazoa.
The meeting, held this Thursday, was attended by the Mayor of Caracas, Carmen Meléndez, and Congressman Nicolás Maduro Guerra, who, along with the president held a dialogue with the Archbishop of Caracas, Monsignor Raúl Biord Castillo; the rector of the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), Arturo Peraza; and the president of Vale TV (a private TV station owned by the Roman Catholic Archbishopric of Caracas), María Eugenia Mosquera.
The objective was to coordinate the logistical and protocol details of the ceremony, which will take place in October in St. Peter’s Square (Vatican City), where Pope Leo XIV will proclaim these two emblematic figures of the Venezuelan faith as saints:
«It is an honor to accompany our Church in this historic milestone that fills the faithful with joy,» emphasized the head of state, who recalled the humanitarian legacy of Dr. Hernández and the educational and spiritual work of Mother Rendiles.
The canonization, approved in 2023 after the recognition of miracles attributed to the blessed, will consecrate the first saints born in Venezuela, reinforcing the message of unity and hope for the national Catholic community.