The Vatican said Pope Francis is sending a cardinal to Iraq to help thousands of stranded Christians who are being terrorized by Islamic militants, Sky News reported.

Cardinal Fernando Filoni will arrive in Kurdistan to extend the pope's spiritual guidance and support to Christians that were trapped on Mount Sinjar after fleeing their homes to escape jihadists from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS. The militants have threatened to slaughter the trapped residents if they try to return home.

Papal spokesman Federico Lombardi said Filoni will be leaving for Iraq soon but did not specify when.

Nearly 40,000 people are on the arid mountain top, including both Christians and members of the ancient religious group known as Yazidi. In the past, the Vatican has faced criticism from Christians in the East for not doing enough to help them, according to Sky News.

The Vatican's announcement comes after the pontiff called for an end to the suffering caused by ISIS militants as they continue their rampage across northern Iraq.

"His Holiness addresses an urgent appeal to the international community to take action to end the humanitarian tragedy now underway, to act to protect those affected or threatened by violence and to provide aid, especially for the most urgent needs of the many who have been forced to flee and who depend on the solidarity of others," the Vatican said in a statement obtained by Reuters.

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