(September 12, 2009) Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli formally invited Pope
Benedict XVI to visit his country while in an audience with the Pontiff at Castel
Gandolfo on Friday 11th of September. A Vatican communiqué reported that
there was a "cordial" conversation between the Pope and Panama's leader. Later, Martinelli
met with the Holy Father's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, as well
as the secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. The meetings
"provided an opportunity for a fruitful exchange of opinions on questions concerning
the current international and regional situation," the communiqué reported. There
was also a discussion on the situation in Panama, "in particular on the social policies
launched by the government, development projects for the country, and collaboration
between Church and state with a view to promoting Christian values and the common
good." Today, Panama has over 3.3 million inhabitants, 85% of whom are Catholics.
It was in this country that the first diocese of the American continent -- Santa Maria
de la Antigua -- was established in 1513. At present, the country is dealing with
a project to enlarge the Panama Canal, which began in 2007 and should end in 2014.