“This year we welcomed more than 11 million people to the Basilica of Guadalupe,” Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on Twitter. In 2020, the pilgrimage was canceled due to the corona pandemic. Last year, 3.5 million pilgrims visited the church in the Mexican capital.
The legend of the Virgin of Guadalupe dates back to early colonial times. Maria is said to have appeared to the native farmer Juan Diego in 1531 and commissioned him to build a chapel. Today, the Virgin of Guadalupe is considered the patron saint of Mexico, America and the Philippines. The canonization of Juan Diego by Pope John Paul II in 2002 was controversial because there were doubts about his historical existence.
Many believers make pilgrimages from their villages to the capital on foot or by bicycle days before December 12 to participate in the celebrations. They often carry images of the Virgin Mary or crucifixes from their village churches. Some pilgrims kneel the last meters to the basilica.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
