Pope accepts invitation to visit Pakistan


Islamabad, Mar  3 (IANS): Pope Francis has accepted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit Pakistan this year, a media reported said on Thursday.

According to a message received on Wednesday from the Vatican, the invitation was extended by Ports and Shipping Minister Kamran Michael and Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yusuf, Dawn online reported.

Micheal led a high-level delegation for Rome to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican City on February 23.

The highest Catholic priest also offered special prayers for Pakistan and the Pakistanis who have fallen victim to terrorism.

The last pope to have visited 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.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Wilson , Neerude / Dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Pope Francis is belong to all Catholic Christians all over the world. He is also a real leader & peace maker . He is doing his best to promote the peace .Whatever may be the result it is not in his hands. God will save him .

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • MD, Dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Modi please invite Pope Francis to India. Don't be busy in inviting only leaders who would like to invest in India. Invite peace makers too.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Dear Friend, the 2015 Christmas message delivered by Mr. Modi was a classical example of his hidden disregard for the minority Christian community of India as an unwanted burden. But he himself and the comrades will deliver very inspiring recollections of the great service rendered by the Christian community in health and education all over India.

    If Pope Francis is invited by Mr. Modi, then probably his comrades will pull the rug under his feet. He has to please them in every step of the way. The BJP hierarchy in Kerala is telling that they will not support been ban in Kerala, and trying to hold hands with the Christian majority parties like Kerala Congress.

    Ms. Irani triedd to take off the 25th December being celebrated as Christmas around the world as the biggest birthday celebration of the world from the Indian calendar, and to replace that day with the birth day of Sri. Vajpai as the national holiday, what is the underlying motive? Did she do that by herself?

    Mr. Modi likes to visit the Christian countries and hugging them for Foreign Direct Investment in India, that is all to project himself as the economic savior of India.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Darryl Pinto, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    A very wrong move especially from the security angle of the Pope. There is no law and order in Pakistan.

    DisAgree [3] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    How Pope Francis has played the key role to resume diplomatic U.S.-Cuba relations after more than half a century. Now hundreds of flights will be landing in Cuba every day from the U.S., and U.S. owned factories are going to change the economy of Cuba towards prosperity.

    Pope Francis gave a sharp admonition towards Mr. Donald Trump in his totally unchristian political rhetoric of lack of love and compassion while Trump was repeating " I am a Christian".
    Simply playing with religious card for political gains!

    There is mysterious plan of GOD in his visit to Pakistan let us all pray for peace in the world.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • shuba, mumbai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Hope the Pope's visit at least bring blessings to these fanatics and change their minds towards humanity and treat all human beings equal in the presence of ONE Almighty

    DisAgree [1] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Modi Saab, why can't next visit to India. (only if VHP, RSS give their consent)

    DisAgree [4] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonso Rodrigues, Udupi

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    I dont think this would be feasible. Secuirty concerns would be raised. Meanwhile I dont understand why some are supporting this visit especially after criticising the Indian PM for visting Pak.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    UNSCHEDULED VISIT TO PAKISTAN IS DISASTROUS ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • shankar, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Nawab Shariff's days in his political career are numbered!!

    DisAgree [22] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    When Indian PM goes to Pakistan to reduce tension same people have problem who is welcoming pope visit to Pakistan, which shows religion is more important then the country..

    DisAgree [43] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Dear The Guru, Mangalore,

    If the Congress has given the land to Bangladesh you have problem.

    BJP gives the land to Bangladesh it is for India's benefit.

    If the UPA P.M., of India visits Pakistan BJP has the Problem of Enmity.

    The BJP P.M., of India visits Pakistan it is a Friendship not enmity.

    Concerning to Pope he visits upon invitation from any countries rulers anywhere in the world except proper security is assured.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    People disliking my comments = agreeing to the fact which hurts

    DisAgree [18] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Good suggestion.....If any person visits the country than it reduce tension..... Why can't you tell these things to Shiva Sena or any other political parties????... They are against even any artists, sports people of each country visiting each other.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    stan, Dubai

    If they are against then its their problem, I have not here to teach anyone what is right and wrong..

    Dubai is much closer to Mumbai underworld, why don't you try?

    DisAgree [16] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • sid, mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Any Hindu leader visiting pakistan to see whts happening with hindus in pak , no right?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudhakar, Kallianpur

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    If Hindu leaders visit Pakistan to see the plight of minorities in Pakistan, our own Indians will call them as Communals....

    DisAgree [6] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • sid, mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    i agree with you fully

    DisAgree [3] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    It’s not Lope.
    God is our Hope.
    Catholics leader Pope.
    Beware bomb in Envelope.
    Pakistan fundoos Pope to Cope.
    Taaliban are there in drugs with Dope.
    We need to give the Satan a loooong Rope.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • gm, mlur

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Wish him all the best and success.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Promenade Road,Frazer Town,B'lore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    This is a great noble act of the Pope who is most practical and sensible person.God saves him.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harish, Kadaba

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Well move, but thing fundamentalist wil hate this, Every time when any of Our PM visit Kashmir terror strike more, i hope same not happen during Pope visit.
    May god bless all

    DisAgree [3] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Visiting Pakistan is a bad decision.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amin Bhoja, Patte / Riyadh

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Pope is showing his loving heart towards Pakistan but Safety and Security is a big concern of Pakistan!!!!

    DisAgree [5] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robin, Byndoor

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Dear Most Reverend Pope,

    Please try your best to return back...

    We are in need of your service for the rest of the world except Pakistan..

    DisAgree [8] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • MICHAEL NORONHA, Mysore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Safety and Security of the Pope needs to be ensured. When the political leaders of Pakistan have become soft targets in the past, the safety of the Pope is of utmost importance. I am sure in the Year of Mercy if this visit happens there will be a new door opened in the bilateral relations between two great religions.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh S, MANGALORE

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    ..Hindu marriage bill passed(only in Sindh province) after Hindus reduced 2%..Now they invited POPE, may be Christians left only 0.5%..they want dollars/pounds in charity thats why drama..US doles out in billions, but they hate US the most..they took money from OSAMA, they also took from OBAMA..this is want a Afghani spokesperson once told 'Pakis know how to milk a BULL'..

    DisAgree [9] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • CHRIS, Dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Papistan is not worthy to have the holy father's presence on their land .Pope should visit on conditions that they abolish their blasphemy laws where Christians are easily targeted for crimes they never committed ,just recently a christian boy and a woman were hanged for something they never did ,,no wonder the other day cardinal said Indians Christians are far better off living in a Hindu majority land ..

    DisAgree [5] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gangaram, Moodbidri

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    As i read in Bible Jesus is came to earth to save sinners!!! and you being a Christian opposing Pope going to Pakistan. Do you mean to say you are a Saint ? Dont forget that there are so many your fellow christians in Pakistan also.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gangaram, Moodbidri

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Wish you all the best Pope Francis May God Bless you always.....

    DisAgree [4] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivek, herebile / abudhabi

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Brave Man..."Long Live POPE"....he is Visiting Breeding Land of Terrorism for the Sake of Suffering Christians....

    DisAgree [2] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • CHRIS, Dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    I urge pope not to set foot on that accursed land ....

    DisAgree [49] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    CHRIS, Dubai

    If you bless a person, you will be blessed.

    We Wish and pray, Pope visit to Pakistan brings peace, unity in our region.

    God bless our land.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Dear Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India,

    It is our faith to bless the enemies.
    Lord Jesus said you must be as vigilant / as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur,

    As far as I am concerned, your writing about " be wise as a serpent..." is out of context here.

    CHRIS, Dubai had mentioned Pakistan is a accursed land. Always remember, a good neighour is always a asset.

    How one can have good neighour by calling them accursed or by wishing them all goodness.




    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Pope do something to protect minority communities in pak.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [48] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pradeep, Bangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Pope Francis, more than being a Christian, is a great human being.He appeals to people of all faiths. Let us welcome him to India too.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • bhuvan, kavoor

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    pope means peace...hope pak will learn at least learn something from pope..

    DisAgree Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Papa Pope may visit any country at his will because no one will hurt him by heart…..but I fear one such person in India may object for his visit to Pakistan!!!! But I am sure he will extend his Asian trip to India too

    DisAgree [5] Agree [67] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita D'Souza, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Hi! Mr Sachindanand Shetty,

    How about Donald Trump? I am sure he would also object Pope's visit to Pak. But then he doesn't like Pope much either.

    Well! I would really like to hear about Mr Trump's reaction to this news.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Dear Rita........Trump is like Mutalik of Karnataka.....Though they are wrong but we can found many followers

    DisAgree [5] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Dear Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai,

    Donald John Trump is not like Mutalik.

    HE WILL NEVER RAISE OTHER COUNTRIES FLAG IN USA.

    He is against illegal immigrants and favors legal immigrants and a temporary stay of one community due to terrorism.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Report Abuse

  • PEDDU, MANGALURU

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    POPE IS RAY OF HOPE FOR THE CHRISTIANS IN PAKISTAN

    DisAgree [8] Agree [69] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'luru / Kwt

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Pope John Paul II visited Pakistan 1981 during the military dictator, Zia-ul-Haq’s tenure, who brought about the dreaded blasphemy law in Pakistan. Nothing changed in the lives of Christians or other minorities who had been suffering till date.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • India First, India

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    Pope should have given a surprise visit to Pakistan. Now he need extra security.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [61] Reply Report Abuse

  • MASTHAN , DUB

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    I LIKE POPE. HE IS PEACE LOVER.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [95] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita D'Souza, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    God will protect our Pope Francis. He is a good man and am sure he is going there with good intent.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [93] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Mar 03 2016

    God save our POPE ...

    DisAgree [8] Agree [105] Reply Report Abuse


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