Pope calls family of US journalist James Foley

cna ^ | August 21, 2014

[NYer]

Ping!

[NYer]

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis phoned the bereaved family of a U.S. journalist killed by Islamic State militants in Syria.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the pope phoned relatives of the late James Foley on Aug. 21 to console them for their loss and assure them of his prayers.

(CNS/Paul Haring)

The call to the Foley family in Rochester, New Hampshire, came in the afternoon New Hampshire time. Father Lombardi released no additional details.

According to The Associated Press, U.S. officials confirmed a graphic video released Aug. 19 that showed Islamic State fighters beheading Foley, a 1996 graduate of Marquette University who had been a freelance journalist for the past several years, mostly in the world's trouble spots. In 2011, he was kidnapped on a Libyan battlefield and held captive in Tripoli for 45 days.

Sometime in late 2012, he went missing in Syria. The last time his family heard from him was before Thanksgiving that year.

The Islamic State militants said they killed Foley in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on their strongholds, and the group threatened to kill another U.S. hostage also shown in the video.

President Obama called Foley's parents, John and Diane Foley, Aug. 20 before addressing the nation about their son's death and told them: "We are all heartbroken."

When the president was making his televised remarks about James Foley's death, his parents spoke to reporters on the front yard of their home.

"We thank God for the gift of Jim. We are so, so proud of him," said Diane Foley.

She added that he was "a courageous, fearless journalist -- the best of America."

John Foley told reporters: "We think his strength came from God," and his wife interjected: "We know it did."

His father also described how their son not only wanted to humanize the wars he was covering but would also "take a bullet" for any of his colleagues.

"It's not difficult to find solace," his father added, saying he knows his son is "in God's hands."

He said it is now up to others to "pick up the gauntlet" and continue the work his son was doing.

[molson209]

Pope calls family of US journalist James Foley and Obama goes Golfing

[Ingtar]

Shouldn’t the Pope call them by their own names? That is a confusing headline.

[FR_addict]

I’m sure the family appreciated the call. It has to be a nightmare for them.

[DLfromthedesert]

Heartbroken for his parents. Will they get his body back from the savages?

[humblegunner]

Pope called Foley’s family, who was grateful

WERE grateful.

I thought he didn't speak English?

Reading a few lines doesn't count.

[miss marmelstein]

That was very nice. I do think, despite some disagreements, he’s a kind man.

[miss marmelstein]

British English often uses “were”; American English often uses the single “was.”

[humblegunner]

Yeah, as may be.
But what did brer Pope say on the phone?

He no espeakee the Engrish.

[FR_addict]

There’s various videos where he speaks English.

[humblegunner]

There’s various videos where he speaks English.

Does he really?

Or does he just read it?

[Scarlet7]

And your point is?

[vladimir998]

He only speaks a little English, but he can make himself understood.

[humblegunner]

And your point is?

How do you really CALL someone when you don't speak their language?

What do you do, jabber in a language they don't understand?
Read a prepared script? Which is it?

[Scarlet7]

You’re smarter than that statement.

[humblegunner]

If I got a condolence call from someone speaking Russian,
it wouldn’t mean a damned thing to me. No espeakee.

So tell me.. did Mr. Pope speak English?

[Salvation]

**According to NBC News, a Vatican spokesperson said Thursday that the Pope called Foley’s family, who was grateful and moved by the gesture.**

This is typical Jesuit — caring about the little people in the world that are hurting.

God bless Pope Francis.

[Salvation]

Family —singular

families — plural