ROME -- The Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis’ Secretary of State, along with other representatives of State and international governing bodies, will attend the ceremony for the signing of the Colombia peace deals, sources said Tuesday.

 The signing ceremony for the deals discussed in Havana between Colombia’s government and the FARC -- the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, will take place Sept. 26 in the Colombian coastal city of Cartagena de Indias.

 The Cardinal Secretary of State accepted the government invitation to lead the liturgy which will precede this ceremony. This will be with the aim of praying for the harmony and reconciliation of this noble nation’s people, which has such deep Catholic roots, and which is so revered by the international community for trying to rebuild a peaceful society.

 In the upmost respect for the autonomy of all institutions involved in the deal, Parolin will ask God to illuminate the Colombian people so that, operating in full awareness and in total liberty, with great responsibility, they can participate in the decision-making process that is in the interest of this South-American country, so loved by the Argentinian pontiff.

 nkd