VATICAN CITY, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Wednesday met the mother of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, who has been held captive since 2002 by Colombian rebels.

Yolanda Pulecio, who was dressed in black, exchanged words with the Pope for a few minutes at the end of his weekly general audience in the Vatican.

The Vatican did not immediately issue a statement on the meeting. The Pope and French President Nicolas Sarkozy were believed to have discussed the kidnapping of Betancourt, a former presidential candidate, when Sarkozy visited the Vatican last month.

Two women hostages were freed by Colombia's Marxist rebels on Jan 10, raising hopes for dozens more languishing in secret camps.

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