Thousands honor Mexico's patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe

Tens of thousands of faithful made their way to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday to pay homage to Mexico's most revered Catholic figure. Some crawled on their knees while others carried images of the Virgin of Guadalupe in one of the world's biggest annual pilgrimages to ask for favors or thank their patron saint for miracles they attribute to her.

The Virgin of Guadalupe is said to have appeared to peasant Juan Diego in 1531 on a hilltop which had once been a shrine to an ancient Aztec goddess. When Juan Diego told a bishop of his vision, the virgin's image appeared on his cloak. That event was key in converting indigenous Mexicans to Catholicism.