France, Nov. 23 -- The schoolchildren, aged between 10 and 18, escaped individually between Friday and Saturday and have since been reunited with their parents, said CAN chairman Bulus Yohanna in a statement.

A total of 253 schoolchildren and 12 teachers are still in captivity, added Yohanna - a Catholic Bishop who is also the proprietor of the school.

Pope Leo XIV has called for the immediate release of the remaining schoolchildren and staff of the school, saying at the end of a mass in St.Peter's square on Sunday that he was "deeply saddened" by the incident.

"I feel great sorrow, especially for the many girls and boys who have been abducted and for their anguished families," the pontiff said. "I make a heartfelt appeal for the immed...