SeeCalifornia.com

Photos: L.A.’s Archbishop José Horacio Gomez presents a book to Pope Francis at the Vatican; Gomez celebrates Mass in the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles on Christmas morning.

Mexican-born religious leader José Horacio Gomez is the first Hispanic to serve as Archbishop of the nation’s largest, Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  The highest ranking Hispanic bishop in the U.S. feels right at home in a city where approx. 60% of the population is Hispanic/Latin American. (Here is a breakdown of Californians by religion.) Appointed to the position in 2011, his hands-on style of leadership seems to resonate with locals, the Catholic Church and the new Argentinian pope who met with him several months ago.

Gomez traveled the globe acquiring degrees in accounting, philosophy and theology (he received his Doctorate in Theology in Pamplona, Spain  in 1980,) and has risen the ranks of the Catholic Church for over 25 years in various cities in the U.S. His recent book, “Immigration and the Next America: Renewing the Soul of Our Nation”, delves into the topic of Hispanic immigration.

When visiting L.A., be sure to visit one of the top religious tourist attractions, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, where you can even participate in events such as World Marriage Day Mass 2014 on Sunday, February 9, 2014. For sign-up and details see: la-archdioces.org