The parents of American journalist James Foley, who was beheaded by Islamic militants, received a call from Pope Francis to send his condolences on Thursday.

"He was very compassionate, very loving," Father Marc Montminy, family friend of the Foleys, stated in an interview with the New York Daily News.

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The pontiff reached out to Foley's grieving parents,  through a phone call that lasted for 20 minutes. Pope Francis communicated through an interpreter.

The call happened hours after the tribute to their son through a news conference held outside their home in Rochester, New Hampshire.

Diane described his son as a compassionate individiual and wants her son to be remembered through his love for his work.

Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, confirmed the phone call to Diane and John Foley. However, no details were discussed.

The Foleys also refrained from making any comments about the said call but is thankful of the pope's effort to comfort their family.

Pope Francis is also dealing with the loss of his two great-nephews, aged eight months and two years, and their mother who died in a car crash this week in Argentina.

On Thanksgiving Day 2012, James Foley was kidnapped while covering the war in Syria. After two years, the 40-year-old journalist appeared on a video of his beheading over the Internet on Tuesday.

TagsPope Francis, james foley, Islamic militants, ISIS