Venezuela celebrates beatification of 'doctor of the poor'

An image of Jose Gregorio Hernandez is seen on a woman's chest near the church were his remains rest, after the Vatican on Friday announced his beatification, in Caracas, Venezuela, June 19, 2020. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero

CARACAS (Reuters) - A Venezuelan doctor known for treating the poor during the Spanish flu pandemic a century ago has been beatified, moving a step closer to sainthood, Venezuelan Cardinal Baltazar Porras said on Friday.

The announcement sparked celebrations outside the La Candelaria church in central Caracas, which holds the remains of Jose Gregorio Hernandez. They came despite Porras' call for the faithful to celebrate the news at home in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, to help avoid spreading the novel coronavirus.