Mexico Religion

With 80% of its population identifying as Roman Catholic, Mexico is a country devoted to its faith. Religious traditions and customs permeate the national consciousness, and Catholic imagery—crosses, shrines, rosaries, and candles—decorates every town. Like much of Latin America, Mexico practices a form of Catholicism fused with native traditions that places great significance on the Virgin Mary and the saints. The best example of this syncretism is the Virgen de Guadalupe, whose appearance before Juan Diego in the guise of an Aztec princess influenced the conversion of thousands of indigenous people in the 16th century.

Currently, there is a burgeoning interest in native Mexican faiths, spurred in part by new archaeological research and a fresh embrace of Mexican indigenous identity. Synonymous with nationalism and Mexican pride, Aztec symbols such as the famous Stone of the Sun can be found on many articles of clothing and jewelry. A recent rise in Protestantism, currently practiced by 6% of the population, may be due to a surge in missionary activity. Another 5% adhere to other faiths such as Judaism and Islam.

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