Vatican Welcomes Betancourt's Liberation

Called a Sign of Hope for the Violence-Plagued Country

VATICAN CITY, JULY 3, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The liberation of former presidential candidate Íngrid Betancourt from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia gives reasons for hope for the South American country, says a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, expressed Wednesday the contentment of the Holy See upon receiving the news of the liberation of 15 hostages from the FARC.

"This is good news that creates much satisfaction and gives reasons for hope for the country," Father Lombardi said. "It is a sign of hope for so many other people" and for "the pacification of a country that has suffered from so much violence."

Betancourt was captured in 2002, in the midst of campaigning for the Colombian presidency. She is also a French citizen. The international community -- especially French officials, and the Pope as well -- have made repeated appeals for her release.

Last February, the Holy Father was visited after a Wednesday general audience by Betancourt's mother, Yolanda Pulecio. Pulecio reported afterward that the Holy Father immediately showed that he was informed about the case of her daughter and told her that he prayed for her and the other hostages.

Betancourt, 46, and the other 14 hostages were freed Wednesday after their captives were tricked into believing they were transporting the prisoners to another site.

Their liberation, affirmed Father Lombardi, "is also a positive response to the hopes expressed by the Pope, by the bishops and by the Church."

A signal

The Colombian bishops, in fact, are gathered in their plenary assembly and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of their episcopal conference.

Archbishop Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga of Tunja, the president of the conference, affirmed that the news brought "deep satisfaction." He expressed his gratitude also that "the suffering of their families has come to an end."

The archbishop said he hoped that the rescue would "serve as one more signal so that the FARC seriously considers the possibility of dialoguing with the government."

Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Sáenz, archbishop of Bogota and primate of Colombia, affirmed that the event "is great news" and mentioned his hope that the FARC "would understand that they still have the opportunity to integrate themselves in the country and to liberate all the hostages."

The FARC has been in conflict with the Colombian government since its establishment some 40 years ago. It is funded largely through kidnappings and the drug trade.