Santa Muerte (Mexico City, Mexico)   [ 72 images ]

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The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly...
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  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) holds his newly born son during a pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Holy Death), having the Aztec culture features, is seen placed on the street during the religious ceremony in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican boy, sitting next to his sister, shows a figurine of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Holy Death), holding fresh flowers, is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • Mexican devotees of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) recite a prayer during a pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican couple, both Santa Muerte (Saint Death) followers, pose for a picture during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • Mexican girls, sister-sister siblings, sit in front of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) altars during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • Young Mexican men are seen gathered in front of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) altars during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • Colorful baseball caps, featuring various Santa Muerte (Holy Death) pictures, are being sold on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican girl walks out of a house hosting the main Santa Muerte (Holy Death) temple in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Holy Death), holding a large scythe, is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • Mexican worshippers of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) crawl on their knees during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) smokes a marijuana cigarette during a pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican girl holds a statue of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) during a pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A young Mexican woman sells t-shirts, featuring various Santa Muerte (Holy Death) pictures, on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican mariachi musician plays guitar in the Santa Muerte (Holy Death) temple in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican worshipper of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) holds a “Bandida” (a female bandit) artwork during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • Statues of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) are seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican man sells t-shirts, featuring various Santa Muerte (Holy Death) pictures, on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican believer shows his Santa Muerte (Holy Death) tattoo during a religious ceremony in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • An altar of Santa Muerte (Holy Death), surrounded by offerings, is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A colorful statue of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican worshipper of Santa Muerte (Holy Death), holding his baby boy, crawls on his knees during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican Santa Muerte (Holy Death) believer poses for a picture, showing his tattoos during a religious ceremony in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • Mexican devotees of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) crawl on their knees during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexiacn girl shows a protective Santa Muerte (Holy Death) amulet during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Holy Death), adorned with a crown, is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, Mexico City, Mexico, 1 April 2018. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte followers, such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers, have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Holy Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in modern society, rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church still considers Santa Muerte followers the devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of Santa Muerte believers fill the streets of Tepito. Holding statues of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for healing, protection, money or any other favor in life.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) shows his tattoo during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Figurines of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) are seen placed outside the shrine in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican devotee shows figurines of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) in her altar outside the shrine in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Pictures of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) are seen printed on the candle jars in the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican worshipper of Santa Muerte (Saint Death), after crawling long journey on his bloodied knees, reaches the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican boy, a worshipper of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) makes his altar in front of the shrine in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed behind the window of a shrine in the historical center of Mexico City, Mexico, 2 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican devotee of Santa Muerte (Saint Death), showing his tattoo, makes a religious pilgrimage on his knees in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican devotee holds a figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) outside the shrine in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed on the street close to Zocalo, the historical center of Mexico City, Mexico, 2 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican believer shows his tattoo during a religious ceremony honoring Santa Muerte (Holy Death) in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican indigenous dancer performs an ancient Aztec Death Worship dance during a religious ceremony honoring Santa Muerte (Saint Death) in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican worshipper of Santa Muerte (Saint Death), after crawling long journey on her knees, reaches the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) sits on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) shows his tattoo outside the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage outside the shrine in Tepito, a violent district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican devotee carries an image of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) during a religious pilgrimage to the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Mexican worshippers of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) pray in a temple in the historical center of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed in a temple in the historical center of Mexico City, Mexico, 27 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican indigenous dancer performs an ancient Aztec Death Worship ritual during a religious ceremony honoring Santa Muerte (Saint Death) in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed in a temple in the historical center of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican devotee of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) shows his tattoo during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed outside the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death), holding a sacred figurine, makes a religious pilgrimage on his knees in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Figurines of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) are seen for sale in a witchcraft market in the center of Mexico City, Mexico, 27 April 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) rolls up a marijuana joint during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A statue of Santa Muerte (Saint Death), clothed in a wedding dress, is seen placed outside the shrine in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a dangerous district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican indigenous dancer performs an ancient Aztec Death Worship dance during a religious ceremony honoring Santa Muerte (Saint Death) in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) shows his tattoo during a religious procession in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Pictures of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) are seen printed on the candle jars in the shrine in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) makes a religious pilgrimage on her knees in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican boy, the Santa Muerte (Saint Death) worshipper, carries his little altar during a religious pilgrimage to the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Mexican followers of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) gather to attend a mass outside the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) shows his tattoo during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican believer to Santa Muerte (Saint Death) holds a sacred figurine during a religious pilgrimage to the shrine in Tepito, a rough neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican transsexual, the Santa Muerte (Saint Death) follower, holds a sacred figurine during a religious pilgrimage to the shrine in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican follower of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) holds a sacred statue in a wedding dress during a religious pilgrimage to the shrine in Tepito, a rough district of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A Mexican worshipper of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) holds a sacred figurine during a religious pilgrimage to the shrine in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a violent neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 May 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Figurines of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) are seen for sale in a witchcraft market in the center of Mexico City, Mexico, 27 April 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • A figurine of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is seen placed on the street during a religious pilgrimage in Tepito, a dangerous neighborhood of Mexico City, Mexico, 1 June 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.

  • Figurines of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) are seen for sale in a witchcraft market in the center of Mexico City, Mexico, 27 April 2011. The religious cult of Santa Muerte is a syncretic fusion of Aztec death worship rituals and Catholic beliefs. Born in lower-class neighborhoods of Mexico City, it has always been closely associated with crime. In the past decades, original Santa Muerte's followers (such as prostitutes, pickpockets and street drug traffickers) have merged with thousands of ordinary Mexican Catholics. The Saint Death veneration, offering a spiritual way out of hardship in the modern society, has rapidly expanded. Although the Catholic Church considers the Santa Muerte's followers as devil worshippers, on the first day of every month, crowds of believers in Saint Death fill the streets of Tepito. Holding skeletal figurines of Holy Death clothed in a long robe, they pray for power healing, protection and favors and make petitions to ‘La Santísima Muerte’, who reputedly can make life-saving miracles.