Pope Francis denounced violence, kidnapping and harassment against Christians and other religious groups in Iraq and Syria and prayed for all victims yesterday.

"Unfortunately the dramatic news from Syria and Iraq is without cease -- the violence, kidnapping and harassment against Christians and other groups. We want to assure those involved in these situations that we do not forget them, but we are close to them and pray insistently that -- as soon as possible -- there is an end to the intolerable brutality of which they are victims."

The Pontiff called on everyone to do all they could to alleviate the suffering.

Islamic State is accused of abducting an estimated 220 Assyrian Christians in Syria last week, as well as 100 Sunni tribesmen in Iraq.

At the end of his remarks, Pope Francis closed in his traditional style telling the crowd not to forget to pray for him and to have a good lunch.