Prior to the recent meeting between President Laura Chinchilla and Pope Francis at the Vatican, geopolitical analysts speculated on whether a certain delicate subject would be mentioned. We are talking about the dubious territorial claims over the northern regions of Costa Rica by the Nicaraguan regime of President Daniel Ortega, particularly the desire to “take back” Guanacaste.

On Friday, November 8^th, the Pope and President Chinchilla met behind closed doors and held a diplomatic conference, which lasted about 25 minutes.

The Republic of Costa Rica and the Vatican City State share a few things in common; starting with the fact that their fundamental laws recognize Roman Catholicism as the official state religion, a constitutional aspect shared by only a handful of other countries such as Argentina and Monaco. There’s also the miraculous healing of Floribeth Mora, a woman from Costa Rica whose miraculous recovery from a brain tumor is part of the basis of the upcoming formal canonization of Pope John Paul II. Many Ticos are expected to travel to the Vatican next April for that unique ceremony.

Upon exiting the meeting, President Chinchilla spoke to members of international press bureaus and explained that Guanacaste was not explicitly mentioned during the meeting; however, she mentioned that the topic of abiding by international law was indeed discussed.

The President of Costa Rica also reminded the press that the Roman Catholic Church can play an important role in matters related to chemical and nuclear disarmament, and that she is in agreement with the Pope with regard to environmental conservation and abortion.

Pope Francis asked President Chinchilla to carry his blessing to the people of Costa Rica on her way back home. The President left the Pope an elaborate cloth made by indigenous women from the Terraba Region of Southern Puntarenas. President Chinchilla also gave Pope Francis instructions on how the colorful cloth should be worn when he visits Costa Rica.

Source: Presidential Office of Costa Rica