ITALIAN priest Giancarlo Bossi, who was held in captivity for 39 days by Abu Sayyaf bandits last July, quietly planed in Monday night from Italy to resume his missionary work in Mindanao.

In an exclusive interview with CBCP News, Bossi, 57, said he is happy to be back.

He said he is awaiting instructions from Fr. Gianni Sandalo, his superior, on his next assignment.

Bossi is a missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missionaries (PIME) based in Rome.

Bossi also came from a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Loreto, Italy, which he described as "something good to remember."

He said he hopes to go back to Zamboanga Sibugay but "it may not be that easy."

Bossi was abducted last July in Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay.

A joint military search and rescue operation was launched for Bossi but Abu Sayyaf members and renegade forces of Moro Islamic Liberation Front ambushed a Marine convoy killing 14 and beheading 10 of them in Tipo-tipo, Basilan.

Bossi was released July 19 in Karumatan, Lanao del Norte. It was not known if ransom was paid.

Bossi returned to Italy on August 10 to receive medical care.

He will be staying at the Mary Queen of Apostles Parish in Parañaque City.

Bossi, with a backpack, silently lined up at the immigration counter at 7 p.m. He exited the airport door and boarded a waiting car.

Bossi was clean-shaven unlike when he left the country when he was sported a beard. – Gerard Naval and Jay Chua