Priest kidnapped by ISIS pleads with Pope for release after threats to CRUCIFY him
A PRIEST being held hostage by ISIS has begged Pope Francis for his life in a harrowing new clip.
Catholic priest kidnapped by Islamic State
Father Tom Uzhunnalil was snatched by the bloodthristy group in March while he was working at an old people’s home, run by Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Aden, southern Yemen.
Twisted fighters posed as relatives visiting the elderly, but then slaughtered the occupants in a bloodbath, shooting dead residents and staff.
After murdering everyone at the home they abducted the priest.
The barbaric group Islamic State (ISIS) previously issued a multi-million pound ransom for the holy man’s release, petitioning the Indian government to cough up the seven figure sum.
The bloodthirsty group snatched the Father Tom Uzhunnalil in March
Despite threats to crucify the man of the cloth on Good Friday, the jihadis have kept the priest alive but issued a new ultimatum on Boxing Day.
Speaking in a weak voice, the Catholic priest is filmed pleading with the pope for his life.
Please come to my help quickly
He said: "Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father please take care of my life.
“I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating.
The barbaric group Islamic State (ISIS) previously issued a multi-million pound ransom
"If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously.
"I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value.
This is the second video the priest has appeared in
“I am from India and not considered. Dear people, I pray you all, ask you all, beg you all to do your might to help me to save my life.
“I need hospitalisation soon. Please come to my help quickly.”
He pointed to the recent case of a reporter, from France, who was abducted in the Middle East but released.
The Indian External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been trying in vain to secure the release of the captive.
She said the PM had been in talks with various countries which had contacts in Yemen to try and secure Fr Uzhunnalil’s safe return home.
But Ms Swaraj added that these efforts take time, and pleaded with people to be patient with the Indian government.
After murdering everyone at the home they took the priest
This is the second video the priest has appeared in, after he was filmed soon after his capture in July.
The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.