The three other seminarians -- Pius Kanwai, Peter Umenukor and Stephen Amos -- were released in late January.

During his visit to Poland in 2016, the pope visited the Auschwitz death camp, where he prayed in silence and met with survivors of the Holocaust.

The pope also addressed the political crises in Latin America, including Venezuela, where he said he hoped "efforts to seek solutions will continue."

“War only brings death and destruction. I call on all parties to keep alive the flame of dialogue and self-control and avoid the shadow of enmity.”

Ecological sin was discussed at length during Synod of Bishops for the Amazon in October

In his off-the-cuff remarks, the pope highlighted the importance of listening.

Archbishop William E. Lori called the meetings "providential."

Since the protests began Oct. 1, an estimated 400 demonstrators have been killed.

The Vatican said Nov. 18 the pope would name a successor succeed AIF's former president, Rene Bruelhart, following the end of his five-year term.

"The Holy See reiterates its position of a two-state solution for two peoples as the only way to reach a complete solution to this age-old conflict."