Italian priest Bossi holds 'homecoming' mass in Payao

Italian priest Father Giancarlo Bossi on Wednesday celebrated a 'homecoming' mass in Zamboanga after gaining his freedom from his kidnappers last week.

The 57-year old Bossi, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), had been kidnapped by last June 10 in Payao town in Sibugay, Zamboanga.

He was later released after 39 days in captivity. 

The Italian priest, who held the well-attended mass at the San Pablo Parish Church, had earlier signaled his intention to return to the Payao community despite risking being kidnapped again.