Pope Francis Daily

A Priest has been murdered during an attack on a church during morning mass in Normandy, France. The Rev. Jaques Hamel, 84 was killed when two men took five hostages. The Vatican and French government have both condemned this attack.

In addition to the slain priest, two nuns and two parishioners were taken hostage. One of the hostages is seriously injured and remains in critical condition. Reports say the victim is between life and death.

According to reports from French media, the knifemen got into the building through a back entrance, locked the doors and held five people hostage. The priest, two nuns and two parishioners were detained during morning mass at the church in the town of Saint – Etienne-du- Rouvray, near the city of Rouen in Normandy.

The assailants were “neutralised” by police as they came out of the church reportedly shouting “Allahu Akbar”. French media reported shots being fired.

Police shot dead the two gunman.