VATICAN CITY, JUNE 7, 2012 (Zenit.org).- After the general audience on Wednesday, Benedict XVI greeted a group of eight Colombian military and police personnel who had been captives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
César Mauricio Velásquez, the ambassador to Colombia, accompanied the group. Several of the former prisoners thanked the Holy Father for his prayers during their captivity.
Velásquez explained, «They come to thank the Pope for his constant prayer, which enabled them to withstand the torment of their kidnapping and recover their freedom.»
The ambassador also expressed his hope that the encounter would be an important gesture toward reconciliation in Colombia, «because when one has suffered a lot, he also grows in [the capacity to] love, and consequently, in the capacity to forgive.»
