Pope heads to Colombia to anoint peace process

TIL Desk/World/Vatican City/ Pope Francis launches an emotionally charged visit next week to Colombia, to call for reconciliation as the country emerges from Latin America’s longest civil war in a contested peace process.

In his fourth visit to his native region of the world since becoming pope four years ago, the 80-year-old Argentine now heads to one of Latin America’s most troubled countries.

On a five-day tour starting Tuesday, he will meet with victims of the war at a delicate time as the country gradually turns the page on more than half a century of conflict.

Colombia’s biggest guerrilla group, the FARC, has disarmed under a historic peace accord, though critics say the rebels are getting off too lightly.

“It is true that the pope is coming to a very polarised country, but he knows that all Colombians desire peace, in the spirit of unity and justice,” said Monsignor Octavio Ruiz, a member of the papal delegation.

“Such a peace is only possible if the causes of social injustice, inequality and oppression are tackled.” Francis’s visit comes at a key moment in the peace process, which he has supported. The FARC is transforming into a political party.