Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Pope visits youth jail in Panama, urges second chance for all inmates.
Pope Francis said on Friday it was “senseless and irresponsible” to stigmatise migrants and see all of them as threats to society, weighing in again on one of the most divisive issues in the United States.
Francis, who has made migration a key theme of his trip to Panama, spoke to several hundred thousand young people at a religious service on the waterfront of the country’s capital, one of the key events of the Roman Catholic Church’s World Youth Day.
“We want to be a church that fosters a culture that welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates; that does not stigmatize, much less indulge in a senseless and irresponsible condemnation of every immigrant as a threat to society,” he said.
Source: Euro News
Full text of Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference from Panama.
Aboard the papal plane, Jan 28, 2019
Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Holy See Press Office: Good evening! Holy Father, we can still hear in our ears the cry of “La Juventud del Papa” [Ed. note: a chant in Spanish translated to “The Young People of the Pope”], the Youth of Jesus Christ, as Monsignor Ulloa said, this great joy, these intense days, which nevertheless gave you so much energy. And, I believe that we have all seen in your face so much joy, the joy of this meeting, as well as the joy of the youth.
Source: CNA
In Panama, Pope Francis slams corruption as he prays for Venezuelans.
Pope Francis insisted Thursday that public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opened a visit to a Central American region that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in nearby Venezuela.
Francis didn’t mention the Venezuela crisis during his first remarks in Panama after a meeting with President Juan Carlos Varela at the presidential palace. But his spokesman said he was following the situation closely, was praying for the Venezuelan people and supported “all efforts that help save the population from further suffering.”
Source: NBC News
Get excited for another edition of the Boquete Jazz & Blues Festival, 2019!
We’re full-swing into Summer here in Panama, and that means it’s festival season! If you’re visiting Panama, or live here year round, you’re going to have lots on your plate in February and March. One of the most popular festivals in Panama, especially for music lovers, is the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival.
It’s a can’t miss cultural experience that brings together some of the great international artists, as well as the expat community, and Panama’s music community together. The festival runs from February 21st, to February 24th, 2019. It takes place mostly at the amphitheater in Valle Escondido, a large resort and golf community development, right in the heart of Boquete. There are also various events throughout town, as well as open mic nights at local bars, and even parades.
Source: International Relocation Firm Blog
