Pope praises Colombian president's peace efforts, prays for him 'the most'

VATICAN CITY, June 15 (UPI) -- Pope Francis and President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos met this Monday in the Vatican with the pontiff stating he is the president he prays for the most.

The Pope and Santos also met with the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States Paul Gallagher and Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. The main focus of the meeting was the good relations between the Holy See and Colombia and the ongoing efforts by Santos to bring peace to Colombia between the government and rebel forces.

"Today in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father received in audience the president of the Republic of Colombia, His Excellency Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón," the Vatican said in a statement. "Among the issues considered, special attention was given to the state of the reconciliation process in the country, the complexity of the negotiations that this entails, and the prospects that could open the way to achieving a peace agreement."

Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, also known as FARC, have been in ongoing peace negotiations in Havana, Cuba. A ceasefire between both sides established in December deteriorated in May.

"You are the person who I pray for the most. A lot, a lot, a lot for the peace process, and I ask for it," Francis told Santos. "What you can do, count on us," the pope added. This is the second time the leaders have met.

More than 220,000 people have died in the Colombian conflict since the FARC's founding in 1964.

"'You are the president who I have prayed for the most' the pope told me and asked me to persevere for peace in Colombia. That I will!" Santos said on Twitter.