LA Archbishop Gomez tests positive for COVID-19, has ‘mild symptoms’

Archbishop José H. Gomez, leader of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has tested positive for COVID-19 and gone into isolation.

“I am grateful to be experiencing mild symptoms and look forward to returning to my in-person ministry soon,” Gomez, 70, said in a statement released Friday by the archdiocese.

“I continue to offer my prayers for all those suffering from this virus. Let us all continue to pray for those who may be seriously ill that they may find healing in the grace of our Lord through the intercession of our Blessed Mother.”

According to the archdiocese, Gomez had been experiencing mild symptoms “after recent personal travel.” He is fully vaccinated and boosted.

Gomez is isolating at home.

He had been scheduled to celebrate a Memorial Day Mass on Monday at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery and Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary, honoring those who have died while serving in the military. A spokeswoman for the archdiocese said the Mass will go on as scheduled, with a substitute celebrant.