Pope on Brexit: 'the will of the people is to be respected'

Pope on Brexit: 'the will of the people is to be respected'

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis commented on Britain's decision to leave the European Union saying it must be followed by "guarantees" for the good of both Britain and countries on the continent.

Speaking to journalists aboard the Papal plane during his journey to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, the Pope said the referendum result must be respected because it was wanted by the people.

"It was the will expressed by the people and this requires a great responsibility on the part of all of us to guarantee the good of the people of the United Kingdom, as well as the good and co-existence of the European continent" he said.

Pope Francis also expressed his satisfaction for the signing of a ceasefire in Columbia between the government and the FARC rebels.

"I am happy for this news that I received yesterday. Over fifty years of war, of guerrilla warfare, so much spilt blood”. It was good news” he said.

And he expressed his hope that the nations that have worked to mediate the accord manage to set it in stone so that it can never be reversed.

“My best wishes go to Colombia that is now taking this step” Pope Francis concluded.

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