"We ask God to grant us the heroism of solidarity, which is necessary to fill, in truth and in justice, the abyss of the evil produced by violence," he said.
Colombia has experienced "in its own flesh that the ambition of money and power, and, because of this, the exploitation of man by man, forced displacement, violence and the disregard of human dignity of the victims, among other scourges, constantly haunt mankind," he said.
The cardinal closed his homily by praying to God "for the future of this dear people," and for the journey the Colombian people will continue to make "on paths of truth, justice and peace."
In comments to CNA on the signing of the accord, Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos praised the agreement as "something positive" that comes at the end of a long, violent conflict, but he also cautioned that true peace goes beyond paper, and is rooted in goodwill and forgiveness.
Cardinal Castrillon, who was born in Medellín and served the Church in Colombia from 1952 to 1996, is known to have spoken out vocally against the violence and terrorism of the conflict, encouraging the Church to help in peace efforts.
"I believe only in a signature that has the harmony of the Trinitarian God … I do not believe in a peace that doesn't forgive; this is not the peace of Christ; I do not believe in a peace that deceives and is made for political gain," said the president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, explaining that a superficial peace which continues to destroy is not real.
Peace, he said, implies a renouncement from weapons and drug trafficking, "which are powerful in this world," as well as an authentic desire to respect the other party.
"If in the moment that of signing I don't think you should be respected, this signature means nothing," he warned, but said "we are happy" that an agreement has finally been reached, because "among many negative things, this can also be something positive."
Elise Harris is a graduate from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelors degree in philosophy.