The Pope pointed to the Orthodox martyrs of Libya: "They were martyrs, and the Church venerates them as her own martyrs," he said. "With martyrdom there is equality."

Pope Francis said that he wants the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints—which had organised this week's conference on martyrdom—to "gather the memory of those who, even within the other Christian denominations, were able to give up their lives in order not to betray the Lord. And there are many, many of other denominations, who are martyrs."

Read More