A multitude surrounded Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Thursday following days of pilgrimage from all over the country.
By 7 a.m. officials estimated a crowd of 9.8 million in the area surrounding one of the Roman Catholic world's holiest shrines, according to national civil defense coordinator David Leon. That number seemed almost impossible, however: It would exceed the population of Mexico City itself.
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A multitude surrounded Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Thursday following days of pilgrimage from all over the country.
According to church tradition, in 1531 the dark-skinned virgin appeared to the indigenous peasant Juan Diego and her image was imprinted on his cloak, which is on display inside the church. Juan Diego was made a saint in 2002 by Saint John Paul II.
Pilgrims sleep overnight outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
Pilgrims walk past a tent city outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Officials estimated a crowd of 9.8 million in the area surrounding one of the Roman Catholic world's holiest shrines, according to national civil defense coordinator David Leon. If so, that would exceed the population of Mexico City itself. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
A pilgrim holds an icon of the Virgen of Guadalupe at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
Pilgrims, some holding icons of the Virgin of Guadalupe, arrive at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Officials estimated a crowd of 9.8 million in the area surrounding one of the Roman Catholic world's holiest shrines, according to national civil defense coordinator David Leon. If so, that would exceed the population of Mexico City itself. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
The Dec. 12 pilgrimage honors the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patroness. Many carry large statues or other images of the cerulean-shrouded, contemplative virgin as they stream en masse to the temple. Some make the last stretch crawling emotionally — and painfully — on their knees.
Pilgrims walk to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Officials estimated a crowd of 9.8 million in the area surrounding one of the Roman Catholic world's holiest shrines, according to national civil defense coordinator David Leon. If so, that would exceed the population of Mexico City itself. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
According to church tradition, in 1531 the dark-skinned virgin appeared to the indigenous peasant Juan Diego and her image was imprinted on his cloak, which is on display inside the church. Juan Diego was made a saint in 2002 by Saint John Paul II.
The masses are so huge that people are often left to sleep on the sidewalk while they wait for a turn inside to view the cloak.
Pilgrims arrive to the plaza outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Officials estimated a crowd of 9.8 million in the area surrounding one of the Roman Catholic world's holiest shrines, according to national civil defense coordinator David Leon. If so, that would exceed the population of Mexico City itself. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
Pilgrims sleep overnight outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
Pilgrims walk past a tent city outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Officials estimated a crowd of 9.8 million in the area surrounding one of the Roman Catholic world's holiest shrines, according to national civil defense coordinator David Leon. If so, that would exceed the population of Mexico City itself. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
A pilgrim holds an icon of the Virgen of Guadalupe at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Nationwide, devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in honor of her Dec. 12 feast day. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)
Pilgrims, some holding icons of the Virgin of Guadalupe, arrive at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Officials estimated a crowd of 9.8 million in the area surrounding one of the Roman Catholic world's holiest shrines, according to national civil defense coordinator David Leon. If so, that would exceed the population of Mexico City itself. (AP PhotoMarco Ugarte)