WYD Panama: Pope Francis arrives
and World Youth Day begins
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| Children greet Pope Francis as he arrives in Panama. (Vatican Media) |
For thousands of young people, the arrival of Pope Francis
in Panama on Wednesday afternoon marks the true beginning of the 34th World
Youth Day.
By Seán-Patrick Lovett
There were those who had waited at the airport all day. And
it was hot (33°C not counting the horrendous humidity).
There were those who had practiced their dance routines for
months. And they added elegance and energy to the event. There were those who
had created costumes and national dresses for the occasion. And they brought
colour and culture to this historical Panamanian afternoon.
1983
The last time a Pope stepped off a plane from Rome onto the
soil of Panama was 36 years ago. It was March 5th 1983. And the
Pope was John Paul II.
The world was still dominated by the North American and
Soviet superpowers, and the Motorola Company had just launched the first mobile
phone, very different to the one on which you are probably reading or listening
to this report right now.
2019
The flying time from Rome to Panama City is just under 13
hours. And there’s a 6-hour time difference. So Pope Francis looked justifiably
tired as he walked down the steps of the Alitalia aircraft and greeted
Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez and the First Lady. With head
bowed he listened attentively to the national anthems of the Holy See and
Panama, respectively, and shook hands with the authorities present.
Then, just as the security detail was dutifully ushering him
into the waiting car, the Pope turned and waded into the crowd that had been
trying frantically to grab his attention in every way possible.
That’s when his demeanour changed dramatically. At the sight
of the smiling, flushed and excited faces (not to mention the beautiful babies
thrust at him from every direction), Pope Francis became suddenly animated. It
was as though he had just woken up. Every sign of fatigue disappeared as he
waved, hugged, blessed and beamed with obvious delight.
Tomorrow
On Thursday, the papal programme begins in earnest. His
first appointment of the day is at the Presidential Palace where he pays a
courtesy visit on the President and meets local Authorities and members of the
Diplomatic Corps. He will also have an important encounter with the
Bishops of Central America before lunch.
But the highlight of the day, at least as far as the young
people are concerned, is the opening ceremony for the World Youth Day at the
Campo Santa Maria di Antigua on the Coastal Belt. But more about that…tomorrow.
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