Pope appeals for freedom for Colombia hostages

(December 16, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for the release of hostages held in Colombia, saying there can be no “political or social justification” for kidnapping. The message was sent a week after Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos rejected a proposal by the country's largest rebel group for the government to free jailed guerrillas in exchange for rebel-held hostages. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has been holding a dozen hostages for more than a decade. The Pope's position was voiced in a pre-Christmas message sent on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to Bishop Juan Vicente Cordoba Villota of Fontibón, the secretary general of the Colombian bishops’ conference. While praying for the conversion of the kidnappers and dialogue for peace, the Holy Father expressed his closeness with the families of the hostages “in the face of such unjust suffering.” In response to the Pope’s appeal, the Colombian bishops have urged all their faithful and people of good will to pray during their Christmas novena for the release of hostages.