Catholicism in Latin America
Some researchers think that the Roman Catholic faith is the crucial cultural element that defines Latin America. Brought by the Conquistadors, Catholicism blended with indigenous beliefs in a process of syncretism (meaning, the blending of religious beliefs) that’s been taking place for the past 500 years.
In this way, strong elements of the Catholic faith—such as the sect dedicated to the mother of Jesus—gained popularity in the region as the indigenous peoples adopted religious characters who aligned with their original beliefs.
For instance, one of the most characteristic symbols of Latin American culture, the Virgin of Guadalupe, had similar aspects to the ancient Aztec goddess Tonantzin.