tens of thousands of people have welcomed Pope Francis at world youth day in Panama. The country hopes that the spiritual impulses of the Church, head of state – but also on worldly things.
“We are your youth, Pope Francis”, singing dancing young Mexicans. Pilgrims from Latin America at world youth day in Panama in the audible majority. Tens of thousands of people line the streets to the landing of the head of the Catholic Church in Panama city, to catch a glimpse of the popemobile.
Herman Vergara has waited 26 years to see the Pope.
The 85-year-old Herman Vergara has traveled for 140 kilometers from his village to the capital. He has done for the last Time in 1983, when Pope John Paul II visited his small country: “The visit of Pope Francis can help to shape a youth, the values and morals more useful than material things. People learn to live together and to celebrate. We are all the same.”
Hope in a spiritual impetus
Panama won’t be after the world youth day is the same, write to Newspapers. Liska Mendonza, who works as a Secretary in the administration of the Panama canal, hopes that the spiritual impulses by world youth day and Pope’s visit. In the Region as a whole, Catholic, Evangelical free churches of the audience. “The Pope can make us grow Catholics help. The Evangelicals are very strong, and your followers, you can no longer change. But we can help the Pope, to strengthen our Faith,” says Mendonza.
Pope Francis was welcomed by President Varela and First Lady Lorena Castillo.
“His message is peace”
On a car, with their eyes fixed in the direction of the dad to come, says Guillen, the accountant Adrian, what he hoped for from the Pope’s visit: “I hope that his visit ended the xenophobia that prevails here against Venezuelan refugees. His message is of peace, solidarity, aid, charity. I’ve made great friendships with Venezuelans. The Hostility against her must stop. And now, the news from Venezuela, Where the dictatorship seems to be at the end. I hope that the visit of Pope Francis to help the people in Venezuela.”
“Papa Francisco!”: Tens of thousands of people were waiting for the big Moment.
Historic Moment
Jose Blandon, mayor of Panama City
When the popemobile finally passes, thousands of mobile focused phones, the historic Moment. The expectations for Pope Francis are high. The small Panama with only four million inhabitants, has invested a lot in order to allow his visit and world youth day: About 50 million dollars to do it. An investment that will pay for itself, says the mayor of Panama city and candidate for the upcoming presidential election, Jose Blandon: “The world youth day is first and foremost an Inspiration for our country. We are proud to be the first Central American country that has organized a world-such an important event with so many people.”
Panama present itself as a country that was developing, “with cheerful and hospitable people, a country of different cultures, which was built by immigrants. Even if it’s not in first place: But the economic aspect plays also a role.”
The world youth day sink a lot of money into the country, politicians and businessmen are largely in agreement: they don’t expect up to 100 million dollars in revenue – including the positive long-term effects.
Panama in Pope euphoria
Anne-Katrin Mellmann, ARD Mexico city
24.01.2019 07:47 PM
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