$14K red carpet for Pope Francis

The red carpet awaiting Pope Francis’ arrival on January 23rd for World Youth Day 2019, will cost $14,177, according to documents published by the purchasing department.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the purchase of the carpet measuring  102 meters long by 3 meters wide.  The contract also includes a 12 square meter awning as well as the cost of the labor for the installation.


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

The tender was issued on November 27th.  Only one company, a carpet importer responded.  Their offer, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met the minimum requirements and technical specifications of the tender, thus 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.