Pandemic Pilgrimage - Alicia Vera

For National Geographic

Cyclists carry their bicycles down the Hill of Tepeyac during a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico prior to its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A woman crawls to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico as a symbol of her devotion. Many visitors arrived prior to its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virgin of Guadalupe necklaces hang from a young man's neck at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico.

Pilgrims line up for mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. Many visitors arrived prior to its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amalia Leon Ramirez, 50, from Tlaxcala, Mexico poses for a portrait at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. "Thanks to [The Virgin of Guadalupe], I am very rich because both of my parents are still alive. I'm not scared of the pandemic. On the contrary, we are leaving very happy." 55 69 66 73 89

Bris Angel Sosa Gomez, 35, left, and Leonor Yadira Garcia Mendoza, 27 from Oaxaca, Mexico pose for a portrait at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. "Our faith is greater than this illness- that does exist- but we know that before God and before our prayers and supplications [to the Virgin of Guadalupe], she will protect us." 971 113 48 61 ; dareylliker2019@gmail.com

A man holds a rosary as he prays at the barricades outside of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City Mexico. The basilica is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

José Miguel Rosas, 19, poses for a portrait at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. "At the end of the day, the Virgin of Guadalupe will protect us all. Maybe it is something serious, the pandemic, but this won't last forever." 56 16 44 36 27 ezzejosesitorosas32@gmail.com

A family sings “Las Mañanitas”, the Mexican version of Happy Birthday, to the Virgin of Guadalupe a day before the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is set to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dulce Vianney Raymundo Alvarado (left to right), 30, and Carmelita Mundia Molina, 37 rom Puebla, Mexico, pose for a portrait at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. "Today I feel a little bad because we are not going to do the pilgrimage as it should be done but I thank God that he gave us the opportunity to come and at least, visit [the basilica.]", said Dulce Vianney Raymundo Alvarado. Dulce's phone number: 2 33 117 2233 Carmelita's: 2 33 103 44 60

Candles left by visitors sit at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. Many visitors arrived prior to its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employees of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico light approximately 15,000 candles left by pilgrims ahead of its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The candles are meant as a symbol of their presence.

Employees of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico light approximately 15,000 candles left by pilgrims ahead of its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The candles are meant as a symbol of their presence.

Employees of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico light approximately 15,000 candles left by pilgrims ahead of its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The candles are meant as a symbol of their presence.

A group called Topos Adrenalina sanitizes barricades blocking the entrance to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico on Feast Day, December 12, 2020.

A woman reads from a prayer book at the barricades outside of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City Mexico. The basilica is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A couple embraces as people pray at the barricades outside of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City Mexico. The basilica is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samuel Alvarez Morales, 22, poses for a portrait on Calzada de Guadalupe avenue in Mexico City, Mexico. This street leading up to the basilica is usually packed with pilgrims on Feast Day but because of the COVID-19 closures, it is nearly empty. "My father got infected [with COVID-19]. I was worried. I want to thank my Morenita for his health.” 55 80 80 47 05 sam_alvarez98@hotmail.com

Flowers sit on an altar for the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. Many visitors arrived prior to its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ana Rita Ruedas Arana, 64, sings Las Mañanitas, the Mexican version of Happy Birthday, to the Virgin of Guadalupe on Feast Day on the street leading up to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico. The basilica and surrounding streets are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alicia Vera

Alicia Vera is a freelance documentary and editorial photographer based in Mexico City and Miami, FL.

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