Thousands of Mexicans Pray Before 450-Year-Old Baby Jesus Statue Ahead of Round-of-16 Match
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
Thousands of Mexicans Pray Before 450-Year-Old Baby Jesus Statue Ahead of Round-of-16 Match
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
Summary
Thousands of fans have gone to Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral to pray before a Baby Jesus statue dressed in the national team jersey as Mexico prepares to face England on Sunday.
The visits reflect surging hopes after Mexico’s deepest World Cup run in generations, with celebrations still rolling after Tuesday’s knockout-round win over Ecuador.
The statue sits before an ornate gold altar in the 450-year-old cathedral, where visitors say they are asking for help in the round-of-16 match.
Canon Manuel Corral Martín said the tradition of dressing a Baby Jesus in Mexico’s jersey dates to 1970, when the country first hosted the World Cup.