Pope says people's will should be respected in Colombia vote

Record ID: 84993

  • Title: Pope says people's will should be respected in Colombia vote
  • Date: 3rd October 2016
  • Summary: IN AIR (OCTOBER 2, 2016) (AGENCY POOL) POPE FRANCIS IN FLIGHT ARRIVING TO ADDRESS JOURNALISTS IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS, SAYING: "In America, I said that when the peace process comes out, I would like to go. When everything is locked in. When the plebiscite wins. When everything is absolutely certain, when they can't turn back. That is, when the whole world nationally and internationally are all in agreement that they won't make recourse. If it's like that, I could go. But if the thing is unstable, no. Everything depends on what the people say. The people are sovereign. We're more used to looking at the democratic forms than the sovereignty of the people and both need to go together. For example, a habit has come about in some continents where when he finishes the second term, whoever is in government tries to change the constitution to get a third. This is overestimating of the so-called "democracy" against the sovereignty of the people, which is in the constitution. Everything depends on that. The peace process will be resolved today in part with the voice of the people, which is sovereign. Whatever the people say, I think should be done." POPE FRANCIS ENDING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 18th October 2016 04:12
  • Keywords: Pope Colombia FARC peace deal referendum vote
  • Location: IN AIR
  • City: IN AIR
  • Country: In Air
  • Topics: Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA00152G8OXZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Pope Francis said on Sunday (October 2) that he hoped to visit a peaceful and stable Colombia in the future, hours before it became apparent that a referendum rejected a peace deal with FARC rebels who have been at war with the state for over half a century.
    "In America, I said that when the peace process comes out, I would like to go. When everything is locked in. When the plebiscite wins. When everything is absolutely certain, when they can't turn back. That is, when the whole world nationally and internationally are all in agreement that they won't make recourse. If it's like that, I could go. But if the thing is unstable, no," said the Pope.
    The Pope said the people's decision must be respected.
    "The peace process will be resolved today in part with the voice of the people, which is sovereign. Whatever the people say, I think should be done."
    The surprise victory for the "no" camp poured cold water on international joy, from the White House to the Vatican, at what had seemed to be the end of the longest-running conflict in the Americas.
    The "no" camp won by 50.21 percent to 49.78 percent. Voter turnout was only 37 percent, perhaps partly owing to torrential rain through the country.
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