VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Benedict XVI condemned the "abominable" kidnapping of priests and other people around the world on Sunday and demanded the kidnappers free their hostages.

Benedict made the appeal hours after gunmen abducted an Italian Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. Giancarlo Bossi, in the southern Philippines as he was heading to a remote village to celebrate Mass. On Wednesday, a Chaldean Catholic priest and five youths were kidnapped while visiting a seminary in Baghdad.

Benedict directed his appeal at kidnappers around the globe, although he mentioned those in Colombia in particular.

"Unfortunately, I receive many requests to intervene on behalf of people, among them Catholic priests, held as hostage for various reasons in various parts of the world," Benedict said during his traditional Sunday blessing.

Speaking from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, the pontiff said he was praying for all those who were being held hostage.

"I direct my appeal to the authors of these abominable acts, so that they realize the wrong they have done and quickly return their prisoners to their loved ones," Benedict said.