MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� His face and body resemble those of a newborn. Yet the statue towers 16 feet (5 meters) tall and travels across central spreading a message of .
The giant figure arrived this week in Mexico City鈥檚 neighborhood, known for its bustling street markets and strong local identity, but also for longstanding problems. Prayers, offerings and a Mass followed.
鈥淭he Baby Jesus means everything to me and my family because we are very Catholic,鈥� said Guillermo Ram铆rez, a local resident who coordinated logistics for the statue鈥檚 visit. 鈥淏y bringing it here, I want to show that there are good people in Tepito.鈥�
The 49-year-old musician first saw the giant Baby Jesus in 2024 in a nearby neighborhood. Seeing the devotion it drew from worshippers, he thought his own community could benefit too. So he reached out to the family who owns the statue, which made its first visit to Tepito later that year.
鈥淪ince it represents peace, we hope for peace in our neighborhood, in our family,鈥� said Ram铆rez鈥檚 wife, Alma Cravioto.
A statue on a mission
Mexican artist Abraham G贸mez created the Baby Jesus figure with his brother in 2013.
鈥淭his began as a project called 鈥榃alk for Peace and Good,鈥� intended to promote and spread values in families, towns and neighborhoods through sacred art,鈥� G贸mez said.
The statue has traveled to communities in the Mexican states of Puebla, Tlaxcala and Jalisco, including places where from drug trafficking affects .
鈥淚nsecurity has complicated our visits lately,鈥� G贸mez said. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 why we think these activities are more necessary than ever.鈥�
Made with a steel frame and layers of polyurethane foam and resin reinforced with fiberglass, the statue weighs about half a ton. G贸mez said he found inspiration in the smaller Baby Jesus figures cherished among Mexican Catholics, who traditionally dress them ahead of Candlemas on Feb. 2.
He and his brother transport the image in a massive basket placed on top of a flatbed truck. For each of the Baby Jesus鈥� journeys, they lead a procession that heads to a local church or meeting point, where devotees can make offerings and a priest celebrates Mass.
After its arrival in Tepito on Monday night, dozens of residents gathered around the towering statue as music and prayers filled the street. Neighbors also shared 鈥渁tole,鈥� a traditional warm corn drink.
鈥淔or us, the important thing is not just bringing the statue so visitors can take photos,鈥� G贸mez said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 that they leave with a message that stays in their hearts.鈥�
Faith in the neighborhood
The giant Baby Jesus left his sleeping position on Tuesday and was seated upright. Following the Mexican custom of dressing him up, locals clothed the statue with traditional textiles inspired by Huichol art, a colorful Indigenous tradition from western Mexico.
鈥淲e want to reclaim the traditions of our ancestral communities,鈥� G贸mez said. 鈥淭o show that Mexico is a blend of cultures, shaped by both Spanish heritage and Indigenous roots.鈥�
Mar铆a Concepci贸n Franco, who lives in Tepito, said she had previously seen the figure and was excited about having him visit her neighborhood.
鈥淭his is a blessing for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e has granted me miracles and I have asked much of him.鈥�
Friends and loved ones have given her images of the Baby Jesus throughout the years. She keeps some at home and carries one in her purse.
鈥淗e helps me stay strong despite all difficulties,鈥� Franco said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have any children, but I am really devoted to him.鈥�
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP鈥檚 with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
