President Gustavo Petro met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, thanking Cuba and Venezuela for their mediation in Colombian peace talks. He discussed the willingness of the ELN to resume dialogue, invited the Pope to Colombia, and highlighted pressing global issues such as migration and climate change. Petro also presented cultural gifts to the Pontiff, underscoring Colombian identity.
In a recent audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, President Gustavo Petro took a moment to express gratitude toward Cuba and Venezuela for their roles in facilitating peace discussions in Colombia. This meeting follows a suspension of talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group, four months ago. Petro remarked that the ELN has now shown willingness to resume dialogue in these guarantor nations, highlighting the importance of their contributions.
Petro’s message was clear as he said, “I thank Cuba and Venezuela- specifically Cuba, which has suffered so much- for offering its territory to talk about peace.” He elaborated on this during his time with the Pope, referencing the “theory of effective love,” and underscoring that discussions on power dynamics are crucial in achieving lasting peace.
The private meeting lasted approximately twenty minutes, wherein Pope Leo XIV and President Petro discussed pressing issues such as migration, climate change, and the persistent conflicts affecting Colombia and other regions. The president also took the opportunity to invite the Pontiff to Colombia, particularly encouraging a visit to the Chiribiquete region, described as “the first land that emerges from the water on the planet.”
Expressing his hopes for a papal visit, Petro stated, “On his trip to Peru, I would like him to visit Colombia,” also suggesting Santa Marta as a destination, which he referred to as “the heart of the world.”
During their conversation, Petro asserted that the Pope, as someone with deep knowledge of Latin America, holds the potential to influence the United States on migration policies. He stated that if the U.S. focuses solely on combating migration, it risks neglecting the underlying issue of climate change, which could lead to further harm, referring to it as the possible “murder of its own children.”
In a gesture symbolizing Colombia’s rich cultural identity, Petro presented the Pope with several gifts during their audience. This included a replica of the Muisca Raft, a handwoven Arhuaca backpack crafted by indigenous women, along with a handmade hammock from Morroa and some Colombian coffee, all representing the nation’s hospitality and diversity.
In summary, President Gustavo Petro expressed appreciation for the mediating roles of Cuba and Venezuela in Colombian peace talks during his audience with Pope Leo XIV. He emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation on various global issues, and symbolically presented cultural gifts to the Pope, highlighting Colombia’s identity. Furthermore, Petro’s calls for U.S. engagement on migration and climate issues reflect a broader appeal for international support and understanding.
Original Source: www.plenglish.com
