Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt embraces her son Lorenzo, right, and daughter Mélanie in Bogota on Thursday. Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt embraces her son Lorenzo, right, and daughter Mélanie in Bogota on Thursday. (Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press)

Rescued hostage Ingrid Betancourt was to get a hero’s welcome upon return home to France on Friday after being held captive for six years in the Colombian jungle.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to personally greet Betancourt’s plane at its landing at about 10 a.m. ET at the Villacoublay military base, outside Paris. Betancourt and her family were then to be brought to the lavish Élysée Palace, the official presidential residence in the heart of the city.

Pope Benedict XVI also expressed interest Friday in meeting with Betancourt as soon as possible. He sent a telegram to Betancourt expressing his happiness for her release, according to the Vatican.more