Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez visited the church Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria in the historic center of Caracas. During the visit, which took place with representatives of the government and the church, an inspection of the condition of this religious site was carried out. The church’s particular significance is underscored by the fact that since 1975 the remains of the nationally venerated saint José Gregorio Hernández — known as the “Doctor of the Poor” — have rested there. This visit, it is noted, confirms the government’s commitment to preserving the architectural and spiritual heritage of the capital.
The event was timed to coincide with the approaching Holy Week — an important period of prayer and family unity for Catholics. In this context, Delcy Rodríguez appealed to all Venezuelans to lift up their hearts and souls for the sake of the country’s peace, calm, and happiness. She emphasized the importance of spirituality and faith as a foundation for national reconciliation and unity during these special days.
The church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria itself is a historic neoclassical temple, originally built in 1708, and today serves as an important center of Marian devotion and pilgrimage under the care of the Archdiocese of Caracas. This visit fits into a broader government program aimed at restoring and revitalizing socially and religiously significant sites across the country in order to preserve them as spaces of peace and civic interaction.
Full version: Presidenta (E) Rodríguez comparte con la feligresía católica en Iglesia de La Candelaria