This coming September, Pope Francis will be visit Colombia according to President Juan Manuel Santos, who said on Friday in his trip throughout Columbia - namely in Bogota, Medellin, Villavicencio and Cartagena - for four days.
The pope has been a key supporter of Colombia's peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, rebels, even brokering discussions between Santos and his top opposition rival, former president Alvaro Uribe. The two parties have reached an accord and the FARC is in the process of demobilizing their forces. Santos also won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his contribution to the peace talks.
In his meeting with Colombia's episcopal council of bishops, Santos said, "His holiness gave us courage, he gave us momentum, he encouraged all Colombians to persevere in the search for peace and now he will come to Colombia during a unique moment for our country."
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit on September 6 to September 10.
The visit will be the third by a pope to the Andean nation. Francis has yet to visit his home country as pontiff. He visited the US three years ago and often receives rock-star welcomes - especially in Roman Catholic countries.
