Islamabad: Pope Francis has accepted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit his country this year.
According to a message received on March 2 from the Vatican, the invitation was extended by Ports and Shipping Minister Kamran Michael and Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yusuf, Dawn online reported.
Michael led a high-level delegation to Rome to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican City on February 23.
The Pope offered special prayers for Pakistan and the Pakistanis who have fallen victim to terrorism.
The last pope to visit Pakistan was Pope John Paul II in February 1981.
Christians make up for 1.6 percent of Pakistan’s population, which accounts for about 2.8 million people.