PARIS - Freed from captivity and humiliation in the jungles of Colombia, Ingrid Betancourt returns to her beloved France and a hero's welcome Friday in the gilded halls of the presidential palace.
President Nicolas Sarkozy plans to personally greet Betancourt at the air base in Villacoublay, outside Paris. Then Betancourt, her family and supporters who lobbied for her release will head together to the Elysee palace, Sarkozy's office said.
Betancourt, a dual French-Colombian citizen, was freed Wednesday in a daring Colombian operation involving military spies who tricked FARC rebels into handing over Betancourt and 14 other hostages without firing a shot.
From the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI sent word Friday that he would be happy to meet with Betancourt as soon as his schedule permits. Earlier, he had sent a telegram expressing his delight that she was freed. He had met with Betancourt's mother at the Vatican in February.
Betancourt was campaigning for Colombia's presidency when she was captured in 2002. She became a cause celebre in France during her six years as a hostage, with her portrait hung on town halls and constant street rallies by supporters.
Betancourt spent much of her childhood here and attended university at Paris' Institut d'Etudes Politiques. Her own children