The Latest: Bells ring as pope arrives for Panama Mass

PANAMA CITY (AP) — The Latest on Pope Francis' visit to Panama (all times local):

9:15 a.m.

Bells are tolling in Panama City's historic center as Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass at the city's main cathedral.

At the halfway mark of his four-day visit, Francis will dedicate the new altar of the Santa Maria la Antigua basilica during Saturday's Mass and then have lunch with youths in town for World Youth Day. In the evening he'll celebrate an open-air vigil service, one of the mainstays of the Catholic Church's youth festival.

During the Mass, Francis will be seeking to inspire Panama's priests and religious sisters — after having sought to inspire Central America's bishops, politicians and even its young prisoners.