$14,000 red carpet will await Pope Francis

THE RED CARPET that will be laid down for the arrival of Pope Francis in Panama on Wednesday, January 23  for World Youth Day 2,019 will  cost$14,177, according to documents published in Panama Purchase.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs managed the purchase the  carpet 102 meters long and three meters wide,

According to the statement of charges, the contract includes aa 12 square meters awning and the cost of the labor for its installation.

The carpet will be installed on the runway of terminal 2 of the airport one day before the arrival of Pope Francis, on Wednesday, January 23, and must be withdrawn after his departure from the country, on Sunday. January 27.

The tender was published on November 27 and only one company, an importer of carpets was interested, whose offer, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met the minimum requirements and technical specifications of the tender, so they were awarded the purchase.

Panama will host some 200,000 pilgrims from 155 countries during  World Youth Day.

There will also be 37,000 volunteers, 40 bishops and over  1,300 journalists who will cover the event.