Archdiocese of Mexico
Stored: Archdiocese of Mexico
| Diocese: Archdiocese of Mexico | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Archdiocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Mexico |
| Suffragan Dioceses: | Diocese of Azcapotzalco, Diocese of Iztapalapa, Diocese of Xochimilco |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Region: | Federal District, Morelos, parts of Hidalgo |
| Bishop: | Carlos Aguiar Retes |
| Website: | https://arquidiocesismexico.org.mx |
| Newspaper: | https://www.desdelafe.mx |
| Catholic Percentage: | 77.7% |
| Catholic Elementary Schools: | 80 |
| Catholic High Schools: | 20 |
| Deaneries: | 12 |
| Priests: | 1200 |
| Existence: | 1530– |
| Predecessor Diocese: | Diocese of Tlaxcala |
| Successor Diocese: | Diocese of Azcapotzalco, Diocese of Iztapalapa, Diocese of Xochimilco |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 8 |
| Rating: | 3.0 |
The Archdiocese of Mexico City, a Latin Rite Archdiocese, is an active metropolitan see in Mexico, encompassing parts of the Federal District and surrounding areas. Established as a diocese in 1530 by Pope Clement VII and elevated to an archdiocese in 1546, it is led by Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes as of 2018. As the head of the Ecclesiastical Province of Mexico, it oversees three suffragan dioceses and is a primatial see, reflecting its central role in Mexican Catholicism. Notably, its Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Mexico City, constructed between 1573 and 1813, is a historic landmark hosting millions annually for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Establishment
The Archdiocese of Mexico was established as a diocese on 2 September 1530 by Pope Clement VII to serve the growing Catholic population in New Spain, following the Spanish conquest. It was elevated to an archdiocese on 12 February 1546, becoming the metropolitan see for Mexico.[1][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Mexico)
History
Colonial Era
Founded in 1530, the Archdiocese of Mexico became a cornerstone of Catholicism in New Spain under its first bishop, Juan de Zumárraga. It played a pivotal role in evangelization, with the 1531 apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego solidifying its spiritual significance.[2][](https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10269a.htm)
Post-Independence
After Mexico’s independence in 1821, the archdiocese faced challenges from liberal reforms, including the 1857 Constitution, which curtailed Church privileges. It regained influence under leaders like Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera (1995–2017).[3][](https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10269a.htm)
Modern Era
In 2019, Pope Francis divided the archdiocese, creating three new suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Azcapotzalco, Diocese of Iztapalapa, and Diocese of Xochimilco, reducing its territory but affirming its primacy.[4][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Mexico)
Geography
The Archdiocese of Mexico spans parts of the Federal District, Morelos, and portions of Hidalgo, including:
- Álvaro Obregón
- Benito Juárez
- Coyoacán
- Cuajimalpa de Morelos
- Cuauhtémoc
- Iztacalco
- Magdalena Contreras
- Miguel Hidalgo
- Tlalpan
- Venustiano Carranza
- Gustavo A. Madero (East Region)
It is the metropolitan see of the Ecclesiastical Province of Mexico.[5][](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmexo.html)
Mother Church
Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Mexico City, a Baroque and Neoclassical structure built between 1573 and 1813, serves as the archdiocese’s mother church and a major pilgrimage site.[6][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Mexico)
Leadership
Current Bishop
Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes has served as Archbishop since 5 February 2018. A former president of the Latin American Episcopal Conference, he focuses on synodality and evangelization.[7][](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/mexico-city-welcomes-new-archbishop.html)
Auxiliary Bishops
- Bishop Andrés Luis García Jasso, appointed 3 July 2021, oversees youth ministry.[8][](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmexo.html)
- Bishop Salvador González Morales, appointed 16 February 2019, focuses on social outreach.[9][](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmexo.html)
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Juan de Zumárraga | 1528–1548 | First bishop; oversaw early evangelization. |
| Payo Enríquez de Rivera Manrique, O.S.A. | 1668–1681 | Served as viceroy; promoted education. |
| Miguel Darío Miranda y Gómez | 1956–1977 | Strengthened Church post-reforms. |
| Norberto Rivera Carrera | 1995–2017 | Retired; focused on Guadalupe devotion. |
[10][](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmexo.html)
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The archdiocese is moderate (rating: 3.0), offering Traditional Latin Masses monthly in 5–10% of parishes, balancing pro-life advocacy with social justice programs like poverty relief, and led by a bishop promoting synodality and dialogue.[11][](https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/carlos-aguiar-retes/)
Statistics
The archdiocese covers 800 square miles (2,072 km²), serves 4.2 million registered Catholics across 300 parishes, and has a total population of 5.4 million.[12][](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmexo.html)
Religious Communities
Jesuits
The Jesuits manage educational institutions like Colegio San Ignacio in Mexico City. Address: Av. México 200, 03100 Ciudad de México.[13] Jesuits
Sisters of Charity
The Sisters of Charity operate healthcare services, including Hospital de Jesús. Address: 20 de Noviembre 82, 06090 Ciudad de México.[14] Sisters of Charity
Parishes
| Archdiocese of Mexico |
|---|
|
|
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
| _pageName | City | MailingAddress |
|---|---|---|
| St. Ambrose Church (Archdiocese of Mexico) | Mexico City | Calle Durango 90, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico |
The Archdiocese of Mexico serves 300 parishes across 12 deaneries, covering urban and suburban areas with a focus on devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.[15]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The archdiocese manages 100 schools:
| School Name | City | Type | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colegio San Ignacio | Mexico City | High School | Colegio San Ignacio |
| Escuela de la Fe | Mexico City | Elementary | Escuela de la Fe |
Community Outreach
Caritas Mexico provides food, housing, and medical aid to 50,000 people annually.[17]
Notable Events or Figures
In 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, shaping Mexican Catholic identity. In 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Juan Diego, drawing 12 million pilgrims.[18][](https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10269a.htm)
References
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Mexico". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmxco.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Historia". https://arquidiocesismexico.org.mx/historia. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Mexico". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10250b.htm. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Pope Francis Approves Division of Mexico City Archdiocese". https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-09/pope-francis-mexico-city-archdiocese-division.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Territorio". https://arquidiocesismexico.org.mx/territorio. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Metropolitan Cathedral". https://www.catedralmetropolitana.mx. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Mexico City Welcomes New Archbishop". https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/mexico-city-welcomes-new-archbishop.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Mexico". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmxco.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Mexico". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmxco.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Mexico". http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmxco.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes". https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/carlos-aguiar-retes. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Estadísticas". https://arquidiocesismexico.org.mx/estadisticas. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Colegio San Ignacio". https://www.jesuitas.mx. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Hospital de Jesús". https://www.hospitaldejesus.org. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Parroquias". https://arquidiocesismexico.org.mx/parroquias. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Educación". https://arquidiocesismexico.org.mx/educacion. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Caritas Mexico". https://www.caritasmexico.org. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ↑ "Canonization of Juan Diego". https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20020731_canonization-mexico.html. Retrieved 2025-09-28.