Pope prays for victims of ISIS in Syria

(ANSA) - Rome, February 26 - Pope Francis said Thursday that he was praying for the civilian population in Syria and for the Christian minority there. He spoke while on a Lenten retreat in Ariccia near Rome following reports that Islamic State (ISIS) jihadists had destroyed Christian villages and captured about 220 Christians in the area. ISIS has particularly targeted Christians and the pope has condemned the violence. Last week said he was praying for victims of violence at the hands of terrorists.