Authorities recently discovered the body of a Catholic priest who was reported missing Saturday in Mexico, officials said.

Rev. Bertoldo Pantaleon Estrada was declared missing by the diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Authorities found Estrada's body in Guerrero, the same region where a retired bishop who attempted to mediate between hostile cartels was reportedly kidnapped in 2024.

Estrada, 58, served as pastor of the San Cristobal church in Mezcala, according to the outlet. The church confirmed the body authorities found was identified as Estrada. The state prosecutor's office identified Estrada as "Bertoldo N" and is investigating his demise as a homicide.

Preliminary police reports said Estrada's body was found inside his vehicle with multiple gunshot injuries on a dirt road in the vicinity of the Chilpancingo-Iguala highway from El Platanal to Mezcala, according to Diario de Mexico. Authorities have searched the scene and collected evidence to determine what happened to Estrada as well as to identify any possible suspects.

Nearly 80% of Mexico's population identified as Roman Catholic in 2020, according to data from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). However, priests and other religious figures are often targeted by criminals, the AP reported. One such instance involved Rev. Marcelo Perez, an activist who was allegedly killed by a local drug dealer after celebrating Mass in October 2024, according to the BBC. Witnesses said a pair of men neared the church atop a motorbike and unleased gunfire. (RELATED: Hamas Agrees To Release Hostages, Relinquish Power Over Gaza -- With Conditions)

A total of 10 priests were targets of killings in Mexico from 2019 to 2024, according to the AP, who cited data from the Catholic Multimedia Center.