Italian Priests, Canadian Nun Abducted in Cameroon

Armed groups have abducted two Italian priests and a Canadian nun serving as missionaries in northern Cameroon.

The priests are identified as Giampaolo Marta and Gianantonio Allegri, but Italy's foreign ministry declined to give other details.

The Canadian nun's identity hasn't been released, but he Italian news agency ANSA quoted diocesan officials saying the she is 80 years old.

Following Saturday's kidnapping, Italy is now warning travelers in the area of the danger from Muslim rebels crossing the border from Nigeria.

"It isn't ruled out that those who carried out the abduction belong to the Islamic fundamentalist group Boko Haram," Vatican Radio said.

Boko Haram has warned Cameroon to stay out of its fight with the Nigerian military.

Meanwhile, Rev. Ciro Benedettini, a Vatican spokesman, said Pope Francis was praying for the three and "expressed hope for a solution."