This adorable schnauzer has become the newest monk at a Bolivian monastery

This is Carmelo the Schnauzer, and he’s winning the battle to be both the most adorable and spiritual dog that we’ve ever seen.

Clad in a traditional brown habit, Carmelo is the latest recruit at the St Francis Monastery in Cochabamba, Bolivia, after he was rescued from life on the streets.

The monastery is named after St Francis, the patron saint of animals, so maybe it’s no surprise at all that the monks felt obliged to act when they first discovered the stray pup.

After being rescued from the streets, Carmelo was welcomed with open arms, and given his very own monk’s habit to wear.

He’s also been given the nickname Friar Bigotón (Friar Moustache), and it’s a name that his facial fuzz entirely justifies.

And when it comes to the religious side of life, Carmelo has it nailed – regularly preaching to the fish and generally enhancing the lives of the other monks.

Speaking to the Dodo, Friar Jorge Fernandez said: ‘His life is all about playing and running. Here, all of the brothers love him very much. He is a creature of God.’

Now, they’re hoping that Carmelo will inspire other monasteries across Bolivia to throw open their doors to stray animals.

Rescue group Proyecto Narices Frias wrote on Facebook: ‘Let us introduce Friar Bigotón, who’s part of the monastery in San Francisco Cochabamba Bolivia.

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‘If all the churches of our country adopted just one dog and cared for it like Friar Bigotón, we are sure that the parishioners would follow his excellent example.’

We couldn’t agree more. Every church needs a holy doggo to spread the good word.

God bless you, Carmelo.