Vatican City, Sep 14, 2013 / 13:57 pm
On the occasion the beatification of Fr. José Gabriel Brochero of Cordoba, Argentina, known to locals as the "cowboy priest," Pope Francis praised him for his open heart.
"Brochero was a normal man, fragile, like any of us," said Pope Francis. But his greatness came from the fact that, "he knew the love of Jesus. He let his heart be touched by the mercy of God."
Born in 1840 and ordained to the priesthood at age 26, Fr. Brochero was known for traversing his mountainous parish by mule to bring the gospel and sacraments to the people of Cordoba.
Pope Francis confirmed this image of the priest in his letter to Archbishop José María Arancedo, President of the Argentian Bishop's Conference, on the occasion of Fr. Brochero's beatification.