On the morning of Thursday, 29 January 2025, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa was received by His Excellency Mr. José Raúl Mulino Quintero, President of the Republic of Panama, at the Presidential Palace.
His Beatitude was accompanied by Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in the presence of the Director General of Protocol of the Presidency of the Republic and the Director of the President’s Private Office.
A meeting was held between His Beatitude, the President of Panama, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, at the historic Las Garzas Palace. The President warmly welcomed His Beatitude to Panama, affirming that not only Panama City, but the entire country, stands at his disposal.
He referred to the contributions of the Greeks to the development of the nation, as well as to the personal relationships and friendships that bind him to Greeks since his years practicing law with a specialization in maritime affairs.
He emphasized the importance of the presence of the Pope and Patriarch in Panama on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Metropolis of Mexico, and expressed his gratitude for His Beatitude’s role in bringing together all religious leaders of the country through their participation in the events held in honor of the Patriarch.
In his response, Pope Theodoros thanked the President for the warm reception in Panama and for his support of the work of Metropolitan Iakovos and the Greek community. He informed him about the missionary activities of the Patriarchate in Africa and expressed the hope that the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect promoted by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Egypt may become a model to be followed by all democratic nations.
President of Panama expressed desire to visit Patriarch Theodoros
In conclusion, His Excellency the President expressed his desire to visit the Pope and Patriarch at his seat in Alexandria.
A ceremony honoring the President was held in the historic Amarillo Hall. In attendance were the Prime Minister, a representative of the judiciary, bishops and clergy of the Metropolis, the Consul of Panama in Philadelphia Mrs. Georgia Athanasopoulos, Mr. Spiros Athanasopoulos, the President of the Greek Community, officials of the Ecumenical Throne, Greek colleagues of the President, and the Head of the Guards of the Ecumenical Throne and Legal Advisor of the Metropolis of Mexico and the Caribbean, Attorney Sakis Kitchagioglou.
During the ceremony, His Beatitude honored the President of the Republic with the Grand Cross of Saint Sabbas, in recognition of his contribution to Hellenism and Orthodoxy.
Deeply moved, the President dedicated this honorary distinction to the people of Panama and to the historic relations between the two countries.
The visit concluded with a reception in honor of Pope Theodoros, also attended by the newly elected President of Chile, Mr. José Antonio Kast.
The Patriarchal Office of Alexandria
