Mexico holds religious celebration amid pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of worshippers gathered at a church in Mexico City on Wednesday to honour St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of lost causes.

He's one of the most popular religious figures in the Mexican capital.

Religious authorities tried to encourage a virtual celebration and to close the San Hipolito Church - where the saint is venerated - but people went there anyway.

Worshippers gathered at the church holding statues and images of St Jude.

They had their temperature checked before being allowed inside.

But there was no social distancing as they lined up to receive the priest's blessing.

One follower of St Jude, Manuel Reyes, said he had come to fulfil his promise to honour the saint on his special day - 28 October - every year.

He said he would pray for everyone suffering from the coronavirus.

Another follower, Victoria Galeta Velazco, travelled from Irapuato, 370 km north of the capital, to make sure she could attend.

The lack of social distancing may prove a concern for authorities as they prepare for the much larger celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe in December.

Mexico has confirmed more than 900,000 coronavirus cases and almost 90,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.