Hundreds of thousands of believers attended the 183rd reenactment of the Passion of Christ in Iztapalapa on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. Actor Arnulfo Morales, portraying Jesus, fainted from fatigue near the cross before proceeding with the crucifixion. Authorities reported street closures and a pre-event scuffle.
The Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) enforced street closures from 8:00 a.m. on calzada Ermita Iztapalapa and avenida Javier Rojo Gómez, among others, expecting 2 million attendees at sites like Macroplaza Cuitláhuac and Cerro de la Estrella.
The viacrucis began at 1:00 p.m. after Pontius Pilate's sentence, with Jesus carrying a 90-kilogram cross, enduring three falls and beatings. Arnulfo Morales collapsed from exhaustion meters from the cross, with simulated blood on his legs and back, but was aided and resumed, culminating in the crucifixion where he begged for water and commended his spirit to God.
Earlier, a scuffle erupted when police limited Cerro de la Estrella access to actors only, leading to shoving and objects thrown at officers, as shown in social media videos.
This year, the tradition debuted UNESCO recognition as intangible cultural heritage, granted in December 2025. A judge also ordered protections for horses and donkeys used, including veterinary supervision and avoiding mistreatment.
