What characterized mexico in the early 16th century? roses were growing on all hillsides. mexican friars baptized spaniards. the virgin mary appeared to several people. indigenous people began to convert to catholicism.

Indigenous people began to convert to catholicism.

Explanation: The Spanish conquerors arrived in Mexico in 1519, and incorporated the country in the "New Spain".

In these times Mexico was a mix of cultures, and one thing that is useful to remember is that the conquerors were Catholics, and in these times imposing religion was a common thing, so they imposed it on the locals.

So the correct answer here would be "Indigenous people began to convert to Catholicism."