Latin America's Catholic Processions: A Vibrant Tradition

0:00It's April 4th. Welcome to Global News Today, powered by AI and Connected Worldwide. Thousands of Catholic followers across Latin America marked Good Friday with massive processions and reenactments of Jesus' crucifixion, drawing huge, crowds in cities from Guatemala to Mexico. In Antigua, Guatemala, penitents called Cucuruchos in purple and white robes carried ancient statues of Jesus through volcanic streets under the morning sun. Over a dozen holy week events. Meanwhile, Bolivia's new president, Rodrigo Paz, joined ceremonies in Tariha, breaking a nearly 20-year tradition where leaders avoided religious, gatherings since the country went secular. Locals in La Paz cheered as military bans and officials escorted hooded penitents bearing the Holy Sepulchre, with one devotee saying he welcomed them. Governments returned to these rituals. Families there stuck to customs like eating only fish and prepping up to 12 dishes for the apostles, though economic woes have cut back on that.

1:02Lately, in Colombia, thousands hiked up Montserrat Hill, outside Bogota, over 10,200 feet high, for mass at the summit, while Mexico's. Atlisco saw chain penitents with cactus on their skin in the procession of the chain, to a tone, or give thanks. Even as Catholic numbers dip in the region, it stays the top faith, with over 60% in places like Peru and Argentina still identifying that. Away, keeping these vibrant traditions alive, year after year.