McGuinness's resignation could trigger a snap election and shatter the bedrock of Good Friday peace accord.

"Prison is a place of death and torture," in Brazil, said Father Silveira. "It is a factory of torture that creates monsters."

"Olga Woltering was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and good friend to many," the family said.

Francis said he too wanted to give the faithful the gift of God's mercy for the coming year.