Priest stabbed in front of congregation in Mexican cathedral

A priest is in hospital after he was stabbed in the neck during mass inside Mexico City's cathedral.

Father Miguel Angel Machorro is said to be in "delicate but stable" condition after Monday evening's (15 May) attack, according to Mexican government sources.

A suspect was detained at the cathedral as he tried to flee the scene.

He later told law enforcement officials that he was an artist from North America. As of yet, his identity hasn't been confirmed.

The assault left the priest lying on the ground, with blood soaking his clothes.

He was stabbed in the neck, and some witnesses said it seemed to be an attempt to cut his throat, said La Jornada newspaper.

At a news conference, the lawyer of the archdiocese, Armando Martínez, told people to pray for Father Machorro.

"We cannot talk about terrorism, we cannot talk about motives because we obviously have no significant facts," he said.

Mexico's Metropolitan Cathedral, situated on the main El Zocalo plaza, is the largest cathedral in the Americas.