The canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles took place on October 19th in Rome, while a celebratory mass was planned for the following Sunday at the Monumental Stadium in Caracas, but has been canceled. Photograph: Vatican Media.
Guacamaya, October 22, 2025. The Archdiocese of Caracas has cancelled the massive event scheduled to take place at the Simón Bolívar Monumental Stadium to celebrate the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles, due to concerns that the event might be politicised and lead to unrest in Venezuela, according to several sources.
In a statement, the ecclesiastical institution stated that “it is not feasible to hold the celebration at the Monumental Stadium under the necessary security and capacity conditions,” explaining that more than 80 thousand people had registered for the event, while the maximum capacity would be 48 thousand.
Sources close to the archdiocese told Guacamaya that this decision is primarily due to a fear of the event being politicized, which could result in conflict due to the large congregation of people in Caracas.
According to one source, the speech by Cardinal Baltazar Porras had heightened tensions, especially by calling for the release of all political prisoners, a demand of various opposition parties and activists.
Around the time of the canonization ceremony in Rome, political incidents had already been witnessed. For example, several attendees at the event confronted the Venezuelan ambassador to Switzerland and former chancellor, Roy Chaderton.
The sources also explained that logistical problems had been encountered, due to heavy rains and the large number of people expected to attend the event, although these were secondary reasons.
The statement explained that instead of the event at the Caracas stadium, the canonization will be celebrated with simultaneous masses in all parishes across the country.
