Cardinal Parolin to participate in Colombia peace conference

September 20, 2016

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, has agreed to participate in a ceremony marking the peace accord between the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Cardinal Parolin will preside at a Mass opening the ceremony, to pray for the success of the peace agreement and for reconciliation among the people of Colombia after years of civil war. The ceremony will take place at Cartagena de Indias on September 26.

The Vatican has declined an invitation to take an active role in the truth-and-reconciliation commission set up under the peace accords, saying that the country's people should handle that task. However, Pope Francis has stated his strong support for "the goal of attaining the peace and reconciliation of the entire Colombian people."

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal Secretary of State to attend the agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC in Cartagena de Indias (Vatican press office)
• Pope declines Vatican role in choosing truth commission for Colombia's peace process (CWN, 8/31)