Nicaraguan Pilgrims Await Support From Pope Francis

Catholic pilgrims in Panama attending World Youth Day want  to “tell the world” about Nicaragua’s drama, and they are campaigning on social networks to encourage the Pope Francis to “promote a new dialogue.”

José María Granado, a 20-year-old Nicaraguan from the Caribbean municipality of Siuna, traveled 1,500 kilometers by bus in the last 48 hours to see Pope Francis in Panama. He says he only expects one thing from the pontiff: “Tell the world what happens in Nicaragua.”

Granado, who misses a more forceful response from the region in the grave political crisis that his country is experiencing, is aware of the media power of the Pope and how far his messages reach.

“They advised us not to talk to avoid problems on the way back, but this is our opportunity. We have to press for the Pope to speak out and the whole world to know what we are living,” says the young man, who participated in the anti-government protests and who spent a few days in the infamous dark prison, El Chipote.

Camilo Armando Mora, a university student from Siuna, traveled to Panama with the same expectation: “I think we are all waiting for the Pope to send us a message of encouragement to continue fighting for a free Nicaragua.”

Panama, to Sunday, is hosting the WYD, a major event of the Catholic Church, at which the Pope meets every three years with young people from around the world.

This is the first time WYD is held in the largely Catholic region of Central America. The last pontiff to visit the area was Pope John Paul II in 1983 and 1996.

Panama has been preparing for more than a year to receive thousands of pilgrims from around the world, including 4,000 Nicaraguans.

Groups of young Nicaraguans have taken to the streets of Panama City with the blue and white flag without fear and with joy, hoping to be able to do the same in Nicaragua very soon.

“We are thrilled to be soon before the Pope and I wish with all my heart for him to say a strong message for my country and hopefully it will also be heard by the (Daniel Ortega) Government,” said Katerine Garcia, a 19-year-old girl from Nicaragua.

Since the conflict in Nicaragua erupted last April, the pontiff has spoken several times about Nicaragua. The last time was on Jan. 7 when he said he was “closely” following the situation in that “beloved” country.

President Ortega will not attend WYD, despite being invited by the Panamanian government, as were all other Central American presidents.