Pope Francis on Sunday marked the Day of Missionary Martyrs, noting that last year, 40 missionaries were killed, the number almost doubling from the previous year.

The Catholic Church, through its priests, deacons and lay experts, must do more to listen to, comfort and assist those who feel troubled, tempted, cursed or possessed, said an Italian exorcist.

Pope Francis urged legislators from the Czech Republic and Slovakia to honor their nations' Christian heritage by working to increase "mutual acceptance and solidarity."