French Priest's Slaying Was 'A Cowardly Assassination'

New details of the horrific murder of a Catholic priest in France are emerging, among them images of the two attackers released by ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the attack.

The terrorists slit the throat of 85-year-old Father Jacques Hamel during a morning mass.

One of the hostages said the murderers ordered her husband to use his cell phone to take their pictures with the slain priest.

Sister Danielle, a nun who was at the church during the attack, described how the terrorists forced Father Hamel to his knees before slitting his throat. ISIS has posted many photos of victims on their knees before they're beheaded.

"They did sort of a sermon around the altar in Arabic," she recalled. "It's a horror."

Meanwhile, Pope Francis encouraged people to admit there's a war going on, not between religions but against terrorism.

French President Francois Holland, who arrived at the scene shortly after the murder, called it a "cowardly assassination." Newly appointed British Prime Minister Theresa May called it "sickening."

French police shot the two perpetrators dead when they exited the church.

One resident told The Associated Press he'd known Father Hamel for 35 years. Another said he was "a kind man" who was loved in the community.