Thousands of pilgrims have gathered at Mexico City's Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe to celebrate the birthday of Mexico's patron saint. Worshippers gathered and sang the traditional Mexican birthday song "Las Mañanitas" to the Virgin at midnight on Wednesday. Close to 45,000 people gathered in the Basilica's atrium, while over 800,000 gathered in the surrounding areas from around the country. Notable singers like Marco Antonio Solís, Pedro Fernández, and Fernando de la Mora also joined in on the celebration.
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Mexico City officials expected to receive over six million faithful worshippers over the weekend in celebration 'dark-skinned virgin.' The basilica, located at the foot of the hill of Tepeyac in the north of the city was the centrepoint of religious celebrations surrounding the virgin. The surrounding streets and avenues were crowded for days as families arived from all over the country to pray and sing "Las Mañanitas" to the patron saint. 5,000 Mexican security forces were called in to supervise the area.
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This year marks 480 years since the Virgin first appeared to pastor Juan Diego. According to legend, the Virgin of Guadalupe made various appearances to the indigenous pastor in 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac where the Basilica currently stands. The image of the Virgin inside the temple is venerated throughout the year by Catholics, but the 12th of December is celebrated as the Virgin's birthday.
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