The pope of the Roman Catholic Church received at the Vatican the Director of Colombia’s Reintegration Agency (ACR), accompanied by two demobilized combatants, and a victim on Tuesday.
Pope Francis talked with the two demobilized combatants about reconciliation and proceeded to give Colombia’s demobilized combatants his forgiveness, according to W Radio.
The visit was conducted by Alejandro Eder, the director of ACR and member of the government negotiation team in the Havana peace talks with Colombia’s largest rebel group, FARC.
The demobilized combatants were Sugey and Regis. Sugey demobilized in 2006, studied for eight years to reclaim his education, and is now the owner of a small business with his family. Regis demobilized in 2007 and, who after a successful reintegration program, was hired by ACR to promote the agency to other demobilized fighters.
The victim that accompanied the group to the Vatican was Sandra Gutierrez. Gutierrez was a victim of a kidnapping, displacement, and murdered family members. She is now a community leader in Villavicencio that encourages demobilized fighters to do volunteer social work in the community.