Panama is ready to welcome 300.000 pilgrims from all over the world

During the first days of the 2nd Preparatory Meeting, members of the WYD Local Organising Committee, leaders of the Catholic Church in Panama and representatives of the highest state authorities encountered delegates from all the continents, to share the latest preparation to the upcoming 34. World Youth Day Panama 2019.

“It is a very important and well organised gathering which helps all of us better understand the expectations and some concerns of delegates and pilgrims coming from over the world”, says Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello Secretary of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, who chairs the 2nd International Preparatory Meeting for WYD in Panama together with Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán of David and Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama.

Delegates representing about 80 bishops' conferences and 38 international movements and communities gathered in these days in Panama City met with members of the WYD Local Organising Committee and representatives of the highest state authorities. Together they discussed the latest preparation to the upcoming event and shared the enthusiasm and hopes of young Catholics towards the upcoming meeting with the Holy Father.

“This meeting gives me even more enthusiasm and excitement, which I wish to share with the young people in the Middle East. I hope I'll encourage many of them to come for WYD to encounter this very welcoming and kind community” says Firas Wehbe, national youth coordinator from Lebanon who expects to bring for WYD about 100 young Lebanese pilgrims of different Catholic rites.

According to the information of the WYD Local Organising Committee, Panama is ready to welcome at least 300.000 registered pilgrims accompanied by priests and bishops and about 5.000 international volunteers who will share with peers their talents and faith. Most of them will probably come from the countries of Central America, all the more so since 9 of these countries received with a great enthusiasm and devotion the WYD Symbols: the Cross and the icon of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani.

“We keep in mind that we are not preparing a logistic event, although it is one, but first of all an event of salvation”, reminded Archbishop Mirosław Adamczyk, Apostolic Nuncio to Panama, referring to the the testimonies of many young people who discovered the love of God through the prayer in front of the WYD Cross and through the World Youth Day itself. Archbishop Adamczyk takes part in the preparatory gathering and presided the Holy Mass for the delegates.