WATCH: In video, kidnapped priest appeals to Pope Francis for help

For months, the world has prayed over the plight of the kidnapped Salesian priest, the Rev. Tom Uzhunnalil. There even reports—later proved false—that he was scheduled for crucifixion on Good Friday.

Now, a video has surfaced:

A Salesian priest kidnapped in Yemen on March 4 personally appealed for Pope Francis’ help in a video posted to YouTube Dec. 26.

“Dear Pope Francis…as a father, please take care of my life,” Father Tom Uzhunnalil said. “My health is deteriorating; I am in need of hospitalization soon. Please come to my help quickly.”

The priest also urged the Church and government in his home nation of India to come to his aid.

“Several months have gone by and my captors have made many contacts with the government of India to get me released,” the priest said. “I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard.

The five-minute video was the first communication from Fr. Tom since his abduction March 4 during an armed attack on a Missionaries of Charity-run retirement home in Aden, the provincial capital of Yemen. The priest had overgrown hair and spoke slowly from a prepared script.

Read more.

The video’s origins are unclear—but at least one relative has confirmed that the man in the video is Father Tom:

Relatives of the priest confirmed that it was indeed the priest who appears in the video. “Father is clearly shown in the video. He appears to be very weak and is gasping for breath while talking. He needs immediate medical care,” said Augustine Mathew, a cousin of the priest who is also the General Secretary of Uzhunnalil Family Association (Kudumbayogam).

And watch the video below.