Santa Barbara’s Beloved Franciscan Friar returns home

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Father Larry Gosselin has returned home to Santa Barbara after being hospitalized in Italy earlier this year.

Father Larry originally left the country to embark on a months-long "Walk of Saint Francis" trip through Italy.

He was hospitalized in September of this year because of heart problems and underwent a triple bypass surgery to clear a blocked artery in his heart.

After a successful surgery, he was cleared to continue his pilgrimage.

He arrived in Santa Barbara Friday afternoon, just in time to make an appearance in the Holiday Parade in Santa Barbara.

Father Larry took to Facebook to announce his arrival, and said it was a great blessing to be back in town.