Venezuelans celebrate beatification of 'doctor to the poor'

An image of Venezuela's "Doctor of the poor" Jose Gregorio Hernandez is pictured after his beatification at La Salle church in Caracas, Venezuela April 30, 2021. Miraflores Palace/Johnn Zerpa/Handout via REUTERS

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelans on Friday celebrated the beatification of Jose Gregorio Hernandez, a medic who became known as the "doctor of the poor" while treating the ill during the Spanish flu pandemic in the early 20th century.

Pope Francis in 2020 began the process of his beatification, which precedes sainthood in the Roman Catholic tradition.