U.S. man slit a Catholic priest throat during mass at a Mexican cathedral.

A Mexican priest father Miguel Angel Macharro have been hospitalized after being stabbed during Mass in Mexico City's cathedral.

Father Miguel is said to be in "delicate but stable" condition after Monday evening's attack, according to government and ecclesiastical sources.

The attacker, who was caught as he was trying to run away, identified himself as a U.S. national. Mexican authorities identified him as John René Rock Schild, 35.

The man said he is an artist and refused to offer any information that could incriminate him, Mexico City prosecutors said.

The stabbing took place in front of dozens of worshipers at the Mexico City cathedral, Latin America's largest and a popular tourist draw on the landmark Zocalo square.

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.

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.

In an interview, archdiocese spokesman Hugo Valdelomar provided some details of the attack.

"After celebrating mass at the high altar, Father Miguel came down [to the pews] to bless worshipers with holy water and when he turned to walk back to the altar, the man stops him and tries to slit his throat,” he said. “He grabbed his neck and tried to slit his throat."

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

BBC