Fr Jacques Mourad released after five months as Pope says he is following with great concern what is happening in Syria, Iraq, Jerusalem and West Bank.

Christians in Quaryatay have been living in fear of IS since May this year, when Fr Jacques Mourad, the Syrian-Catholic priest responsible for Mar Elian convent, was kidnapped.

“We priests are fully aware of the risks we run, but we cannot do otherwise than remain alongside the Syrian people, both Christians and Muslims.”