This meeting marked the first time Pope Francis met with Panama's new ambassador to the Holy See, Miroslava Rosas.
'Your Holiness. My greatest blessing is being here to present my credentials to you.â?
'A Latin American with Swiss punctuality!â?
'But of course! I bring all the prayers and affection of Panama.â?
She's only been in Rome for a few months, but the new ambassador already knows that one of her main priorities is to have the Pope visit Panama.
MIROSLAVA ROSAS
Panama's Ambassador to the Holy See
'One of the main goals we have is to convince Pope Francis to travel to Panama. All presidents invite him and every nation wants him pay a visit. Since Panama recently celebrated 500 years since the establishment of its first diocese, I think it's a great time to invite the Pope.â?
Panama has a population of about 4 million people and about 70 percent of them are Catholic.
They're all part of an important Christian legacy in the Americas, which dates back to 1513 when Pope Leo X was Pontiff.
MIROSLAVA ROSAS
Panama's Ambassador to the Holy See
'It was through Panama that Christian evangelizers made their way to the rest of the Americas. The Pacific was discovered in Panama, which gives way to the 500th anniversary we're celebrating. It was in Panama that the first diocese was established and the first bishop assigned.â?
The country is also celebrating 90 years of diplomatic relations with the Holy See. The ambassador is hoping this key anniversary will be ingrained in history with a Papal visit.
CA
AA
JM
-PR
Up: GRT
