The return of Gauchito Gil
Thousands of people flocked to the sanctuary of Gauchito Gil – a pagan saint with many followers in Argentina, especially in the poorest neighborhoods and on the sides of highways across the country – which for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic it reopened its doors.
This project was published by The Associated Press with the title: “Despite a record of infections, they celebrate “saint” in Argentina” (2022) and “Argentines ask folk cowboy saint Gauchito Gil to help cope with galloping inflation” (2024)
Cloaked in red, Julio Rivero holds a figure of Saint Gauchito Gil while visiting his sanctuary, in Mercedes, Argentina, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
Pilgrims arrive at the "Gauchito" Gil sanctuary to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A man sleeps on the side of the road near the "Gauchito" Gil sanctuary where pilgrims are arriving to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A pilgrim pays homage to "Gauchito" Gil marking the anniversary of his death, in his shrine near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
Pilgrims ride on horses to the "Gauchito Gil' sanctuary to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
Pilgrims ride on horses to the "Gauchito Gil' sanctuary to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A woman waits her turn to enter the "Gauchito" Gil sanctuary where pilgrims are arriving to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A pilgrim holds a cross of "Gauchito" Gil in his sanctuary marking the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A woman touches a statue of "Gauchito" Gil at his sanctuary where pilgrims are arriving to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A pilgrim touches a cross of "Gauchito" Gil in his sanctuary marking the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A man waits his turn to enter the "Gauchito" Gil sanctuary where pilgrims are arriving to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A man prays at the "Gauchito" Gil sanctuary where pilgrims are arriving to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A couple dances at the "Gauchito" Gil sanctuary where pilgrims are arriving to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
Pilgrims light candles to mark the death anniversary of "Gauchito" Gil, in his sanctuary near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A man holds a cross with the image of "Gauchito" Gil at his sanctuary near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A couple dances at the "Gauchito" Gil sanctuary where pilgrims are arriving to mark the anniversary of his death, near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
A pilgrim drinks wine amid candles lit for "Gauchito" Gil to mark the anniversary of his death, in his sanctuary near Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina, January, 2022.
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