The cult of Santa Muerte began as a sect of the Roman Catholic Church within Mexico. As her popularity spread beyond Mexico’s borders to US cities and as far south as Argentina, it was time to intervene. Pope John Paul II deemed her believers as devil worshipers and refused to recognize her as a saint, but this has had no effect in deterring her followers. The origins of Santa Muerte date back to pre-Hispanic times. It is believed she derived from the Aztec goddess of death Mictecacíhuatl, she seems to have morphed since the Spanish inquisition into a grim reaper like figure worshiped by millions, living on the fringes of society. Followers include members of the notorious gang, Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) to lowly vendors and street kids of Mexico City.
