The plan involves bringing in major events, including an NBA game and a bullfight, in order to jumpstart a local entertainment industry that turn the country into one of the top 10 global entertainment destinations and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Francis himself made the announcement on the plane taking him to Panama for the 34th World Youth Day. Visiting Iraq is too dangerous at present.
The pilgrims took part in the inaugural Mass, led by the archbishop of the capital. Pope Francis is expected to arrive today. Sport competitions boost bonds of friendship between Indians and Panamanians.
Four priests were ordained yesterday in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, the same that was torched on Christmas Eve of 2007, a prelude to the wave of anti-Christian persecution of August 2008. The ordination ceremony was marred by a serious car accident in which 18 relatives and friends of the new priests died.
Jews represent Myanmar’s smallest religious group. The first were mainly merchants who came to the then Burma after the British conquest. At the end of the twentieth century, the community had less than 50 people.
The event opens tomorrow until Saturday. The three days in Manila are part of the celebrations for the Year of Youth organised by the Bishops’ Conference. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, apostolic nuncio, will preside over the opening mass.
