Majority of Panamanians against $9 million handout for Papal home

Although the Constitution recognizes the majority of Panamanians, as Catholics, the majority do not agree with the government providing $9 million for a new Papal residence.

A survey by Unimer, commissioned by La Prensa, reveals that 61.5% of respondents disagree with providing $9 million for the construction of the new Papal headquarters. 28.7% agree, while another 9.8% do not know or do not respond.

Int February, the Cabinet gave its approval to an agreement that gives a plot  of land in Clayton to the Nuncio, plus $9 million to build  on the site, in exchange for leaving the building on Avenida Balboa which has been the home of he Vatican Embassy in Panama since the 1960's and got worldwide attention during the 1989 US Invasion when Panama’s former strongman Antonio Noriega took refuge there and  Army loudspeaker teams were dispatched  to create noise to drive him out.

The issue was criticized by different sectors for what they see as an "excessive" amount proposed by the Government.

The survey was conducted between March 22 and 25.