LAS GARZAS, Panama — More than 100,000 young people are expected to show up in Panama City when Pope Francis visits this week for World Youth Day. Nine people including administrators and police were convicted of homicide or negligence in what was the worst tragedy for the country’s youth prison system. Today, administrators argue that Las Garzas de Pacora is a model facility compared with other youth prisons in the region that suffer from overcrowding. Internees have painted symbols of peace and the logo of the youth festival on walls and chairs in preparation for Francis’ visit. Emma Alba de Tejada, national director of interdisciplinary studies in youth prisons, acknowledged that some of the young inmates aren’t interested in participating in the pope’s visit.

Source: National Post January 22, 2019 05:07 UTC