This morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience Her Excellency Ms. Delia Cárdenas Christie, ambassador of Panama to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of her credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

Her Excellency Ms. Delia Cárdenas Christie
Ambassador of Panama to the Holy See

Her Excellency Ms. Delia Cárdenas Christie as born on 20 March 1939 in Colón.

She holds a degree in sciences from the National Institute of Panama (1958), and studied accounting at the Technical School of Accounting and Commerce (1963).

She was awarded a degree in corporate economics, specializing in marketing, from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America (1976) as well as a degree in law and political sciences from the University of Santa María Antigua (1985).

She has held the following offices, among others: general supervisor at the Arrocha pharmaceutical group (1958-1985), member of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (1978 - 1994), deputy minister of Finance and the Treasury (1989-1992), Minister for Planning and Economic Policy (1992-1994), superintendent of the Banks of Panama (1999-2006), Ambassador to the Holy See (2009-2014), and Ambassador to the Order of Malta (2010-2014).

She was a founder member of the Realizando Meta Party.
In addition, she has participated in various associations, including the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (1978-1994), the Club Soroptimist of Panama (1977-1995), the National College of Lawyers of Panama (since 1987, now member emeritus), the Panama Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (since 1994), and the association of graduates of the USMA Faculty of Law (founder member since 2002).