Pilgrims begin to fill the streets of Panama City

The authorities have given the the final touches with regard to traffic movement and mobility of the route that Pope Francis will take on his journey.

From the early hours of Wednesday, agents of the National Police have been guarding the streets and avenues of Panama City center and especially those that are in the route that Pope Francis will follow on his arrival to Panamanian soil.

At a few hours before the arrival of Pope Francis, security agents coordinate the final details with regards with traffic movement and mobility in order to ensure pedestrians and car circulation that maintain the safety of the area.

As the time of the arrival of Pope Francis approaches, there are groups of pilgrims and families that are located in different places along the route where the Supreme Pontiff will pass. Jacinto González from the Dominican Republic said that he and his group of pilgrims are there, keeping their position to be in the front row and be able to see up close when the pope passes by.

Another group of pilgrims, that comes from Herrera and Cocle, the central provinces of Panama, is already installed in front of El Carmen church located on Via España since 8:00 am, all with the same goal of keeping a position for them to be able to see the Pope closely on his journey that will be taken partly in the Popemobile and in a closed car.

Throughout the route, security rails have been placed for the security of Pope Francis and to allow the smooth journey of the leader of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis left Italy at 9:25 a.m., Rome time, 3:00 a.m., Panamanian time. He is expected to arrive in Panama at 4:15 p.m. local time.

A two-hour car trip is scheduled from the Tocumen International Airport, located about 30 kilometers from the city center to the Apostolic Nunciature headquarters in the Clayton area, where a military base of the United States Army operated in the past and it has been transformed into an area of educational centers and diplomatic premises.

Pope Francis will spend the night at the Apostolic Nunciature, the embassy of the Vatican in Panama, to start tomorrow the activities of the XXXIV version of the WYD.

Translation Marijulia Pujol Lloyd