ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Catholic community across the world on the election of Pope Leo XIV.
The prime minister, in a social media post on X, said that the election of Pope Leo XIV was a historic moment marking a “new chapter of hope and inspiration” for millions around the world.
He said that Pakistan valued its ties with the Holy See and remained committed to promoting interfaith harmony, mutual respect, and a shared pursuit of peace and human dignity.
Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected by 133 cardinals as the new leader of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV, and becoming the first American pontiff.
Aged 69 and originally from Chicago, Leo becomes the 267th Catholic pope after the death last month of Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope and had led the Church for 12 years.
Earlier, Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 after 12 years as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Christians.
In a statement issued by the Vatican City, Pope France, the death of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, confirmed the death at the age of 88.
Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and was discharged from the hospital a few days ago after a long illness.
