Faith Sustaining Parents of Murdered Journalist

The parents of murdered journalist James Foley say their faith is helping them get through.

Foley was a graduate of Marquette University, a Jesuit institution in Milwaukee. He had previously spent 44 days in a Libyan jail during that country's civil war.

In the Marquette alumni magazine, Foley wrote about the power of prayer and faith in difficult circumstances.

On Wednesday, Foley's mother gave thanks for "so many prayers" of support. His father said James is "finally free" and "in heaven."

Pope Francis is expected to reach out to the family Thursday.

Foley was apparently murdered at the hands of ISIS, which was captured in a video the terrorist group released Tuesday.

Foley was a seasoned foreign correspondent on assignment for the GlobalPost when he disappeared in northern Syria in November 2012.