Miss Universe Andrea Meza tours Jerusalem – in pictures

  • Miss Universe Andrea Meza from Mexico is backdropped by the Western Wall and Al Aqsa Mosque during a tour in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA
    Miss Universe Andrea Meza from Mexico is backdropped by the Western Wall and Al Aqsa Mosque during a tour in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA
  • Meza is visiting Israel ahead of the 70th Miss Universe contest that will be held in Eilat city at the Red Sea resort on December 12. EPA
    Meza is visiting Israel ahead of the 70th Miss Universe contest that will be held in Eilat city at the Red Sea resort on December 12. EPA
  • The pageant is in the spotlight for being held in Israel amid boycott calls in solidarity with Palestinians. EPA
    The pageant is in the spotlight for being held in Israel amid boycott calls in solidarity with Palestinians. EPA
  • Meza passes security as she visits the Western Wall during a tour in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA
    Meza passes security as she visits the Western Wall during a tour in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA
  • Meza, 27, was crowned Miss Universe in May, during a Covid-delayed ceremony in Florida. EPA
    Meza, 27, was crowned Miss Universe in May, during a Covid-delayed ceremony in Florida. EPA
  • Meza at the Western Wall. EPA
    Meza at the Western Wall. EPA
  • Meza said the long-running beauty pageant shouldn't be politicised. EPA
    Meza said the long-running beauty pageant shouldn't be politicised. EPA
  • Meza visits the Jesus Tomb inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
    Meza visits the Jesus Tomb inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
  • Meza prays at the Stone of the Anointing as she visits the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
    Meza prays at the Stone of the Anointing as she visits the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
  • Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
    Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
  • The stone slab is traditionally believed to be the stone where Jesus's body was prepared for burial. AP
    The stone slab is traditionally believed to be the stone where Jesus's body was prepared for burial. AP
  • Meza inside Jesus Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
    Meza inside Jesus Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA
  • Meza wore a flowing, full-length dress with flat sandals as she toured the Old City. AP
    Meza wore a flowing, full-length dress with flat sandals as she toured the Old City. AP
  • Meza meandered through the mostly empty cobblestoned alleyways of the Old City, stopping to peek into shops as a media scrum followed. AP
    Meza meandered through the mostly empty cobblestoned alleyways of the Old City, stopping to peek into shops as a media scrum followed. AP
  • Meza, who is a software engineer, said she was "just a girl", from a small town in Mexico who was not a "perfect and flawless" beauty queen. AP
    Meza, who is a software engineer, said she was "just a girl", from a small town in Mexico who was not a "perfect and flawless" beauty queen. AP
  • Meza said she had worked hard to become Miss Universe and that the competition wasn't only about parading women in bikinis, but also about testing their intelligence. AP
    Meza said she had worked hard to become Miss Universe and that the competition wasn't only about parading women in bikinis, but also about testing their intelligence. AP
  • Asked if she could offer a solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Meza said she didn't believe in violence and that communication was key. AFP
    Asked if she could offer a solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Meza said she didn't believe in violence and that communication was key. AFP
  • The Miss Universe pageant is also expected to draw contestants from Morocco and the UAE, which recently normalised ties with Israel. AFP
    The Miss Universe pageant is also expected to draw contestants from Morocco and the UAE, which recently normalised ties with Israel. AFP
  • Meza checks out shops in the Old City. AFP
    Meza checks out shops in the Old City. AFP
  • Meza by the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters
    Meza by the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters
  • Miss Universe's visit to Old City was part of the preparation for Israel hosting Miss Universe 2021 on December 12. Reuters
    Miss Universe's visit to Old City was part of the preparation for Israel hosting Miss Universe 2021 on December 12. Reuters
  • Israel's Tourism Ministry hosted Meza's trip to the Old City. Reuters
    Israel's Tourism Ministry hosted Meza's trip to the Old City. Reuters