Islamabad: Pakistan will extend an invitation to Pope Francis – 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church – to visit Pakistan during his trip to Asia in March this year.
A delegation comprising Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael and parliamentarians from various religious minorities would call on the Pope in February.
Kamran Michael held a meeting with Archbishop Ghaleb Bader on Saturday. He said that the Pope ordains 13 new priests including one from Pakistan.
Pope Francis Visit Pakistan This Year. Pope Francis has accepted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit Pakistan this year, according to a message received here on Wednesday from the Vatican.
The invitation was extended by Ports and Shipping Minister Kamran Michael and Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yusuf.
The Pope was scheduled to visit India and other Asian countries in March, he said.
The highest Catholic priest also offered special prayers for Pakistan and the Pakistanis who have fallen victim to terrorism.
Pope Francis has accepted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit Pakistan by the end of this year, a message received from the Vatican confirmed on Wednesday.
Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael and Michael Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yusuf, who are visiting the Vatican, extended the invitation to the Pope on the premier’s behalf, a press release stated.
Michael had an audience with Pope Francis in Vatican where he extended the premier’s invite to him. The minister along with his delegation will also meet Secretary of the State Antoine A Miller and discuss matters of mutual interest.
Michael said the visit would further strengthen the dialogue process between Pakistan and The Holy See.
