HIV shelter outside Panama City readies for papal visit A Roman Catholic-run shelter that has housed dozens of HIV and AIDS patients since it opened its doors outside Panama City in 2005 is readying for a high-profile visit by Pope Francis

PANAMA CITY -- Like many others from his poor, indigenous region of Panama, Raul Tugri left for the capital years ago in search of opportunities. He found work at a supermarket, but alcohol abuse sent his life into a tailspin and four years ago he was diagnosed with HIV.

"My world came crashing down," Tugri said on a recent morning at the Good Samaritan home, a Roman Catholic-run shelter that has housed dozens of HIV and AIDS patients since it opened its doors outside Panama City in 2005.

The shelter is readying for a high-profile visit Sunday by Pope Francis, who is coming to offer spiritual succor to the people in its care.

The first Latin American-born pontiff has made defending those on the margins of society a hallmark of his papacy.