Mexicans celebrate Virgin of ‘Candelaria’

Catholic worshippers in Mexico City marked the official end of the Christmas period on Thursday with a procession and a Mass in honor of the Baby Jesus.

Hundreds of people brought their dressed statues of Christ to celebrate 40 days from his birth, a day known as Candlemas. The festival held on February 2 is one of the most important religious events in Mexico's calendar. The Mexico City borough of Xochimilco also marks the anniversary of the arrival of the Niñopa, the wooden figure of Jesus brought by Spanish priests some 400 years ago.

Since then, the Niñopa has become a local treasure and is highly revered in Xochimilco. The figure lives with a host family for an entire year, and every February 2 it is passed on to a new home.