Father Uzhunnalil was kidnapped in Aden on March 4, 2016, in an attack in which four Missionaries of Charity and at least 12 others were killed at a home for the aged.

Francis has made it his business to try to build bridges with the Muslim world with the energy of a missionary. Benedict also delivered his message to Islam from afar.

The situation in North Korea, he added, has been heated for a long time, "but now it seems it has heated up too much, no?"

Francis took the risk, trusting in God. His decision transmitted a message of hope on the political front to all Egyptians, Christians and Muslims alike, who are well aware that their country is today a target for ISIS terrorists and is engaged in a battle against terrorism.

The only kind of fanaticism that is acceptable to God is being fanatical about loving and helping others, Pope Francis said on his final day in Egypt.