Pope Benedict XVI has condemned the execution of four hostages by the FARC and called for an end to violence in Colombia.
The religious leader expressed his "pain" over the execution of the prisoners during a botched army rescue attempt on Friday.
In a letter to the Colombian ambassador for the Holy See, Cesar Mauricio Velazquez, the Pope wrote: "The Holy Father received this tragic news with sorrow and sends his prayers to the families of the victims and the beloved people of Colombia at this time of suffering. [He} begs for the cessation of violence."
A spokesperson for the French government also condemned the "heinous murder" of the four security force members. A statement said, "France reaffirms its support of democracy and the rule of law in Colombia, and calls on armed groups to release all hostages."
