Virgin of Guadalupe: data to understand the devotion of millions to the “brunette”

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(CNN Spanish) –– The Virgin of Guadalupe attracts Mexicans and foreigners year after year who celebrate the Mexican “brunette” in her sanctuary in Mexico City, arrive at the Basilica to sing, celebrate and pray.

These are some data that explain the devotion to the “Morenita del Tepeyac”:

This is the second most visited Catholic center in the world, only after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome according to the episcopate in Mexico. Due to the exponential growth of the faithful, on October 12, 2011, the Mariana square was inaugurated, designed to receive more than 3,000 pilgrimages that are held annually.

The construction of the new Basilica of Guadalupe, was in charge of the architect Pedro Ramírez (GettyImages)

2. The Virgin of Guadalupe: patron of Latin America

Pope John Paul II named the Virgin of Guadalupe "the Patron of America" ​​during his visit to Mexico in 1999. But he is also known as "Empress of the Americas," "The celestial missionary of the New World."

3. How many visit it?

It is estimated that the devotion to the Virgin on December 12 annually generates millions of visits. In 2017, the record of people who visited it was broken, with more than 7.2 million pilgrims.

(GettyImages)

4. What does Guadalupe mean?

Although the faithful consider that the name "Guadalupe" is Mexican, it actually comes from Arabic, it is not indigenous, and it means "Rio de lobos".

(GettyImages)

5. Who believes in the 'brunette'?

According to data from the Kaleidoscopio pollster, seven out of ten Mexicans are devoted to the “Morenita del Tepeyac”.

(GettyImages)

6. The miracles attributed to him by the faithful

According to the Kaleidoscopio.mx pollster, Mexicans attribute these miracles to the virgin: health problems, resolution of all problems, employment and getting a partner.

(GettyImages)

7. The mystery of the eyes of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Chemical scientists, NASA researchers and even famous eye doctors have tried to decipher the painting technique used on the canvas where the “Morenita del Tepeyac” is located. The Mexican Church says that it has not been possible to explain the origin of the pigments that give color to the image, nor the way in which it was painted and that other silhouettes could be seen in their eyes.

8. Spanish football took the cup after winning the World Cup

The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation took the World Cup to the Virgin of Guadalupe after winning the championship in South Africa 2010 in the form of thanks.

(GettyImages)

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