Pope Francis has accepted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit the country, officials said on Thursday. IANS reported that the invitation was initially extended by Ports and Shipping Minister Kamran Michael and Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yusuf. Michael had led a delegation to meet the Pope at the Vatican on February 23. The dates of the pontiff's trip to the country will be finalised by mutual consultation, an official from the religious affairs ministry said.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church is set to meet Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain during his visit. He will also interact with Christians in the country, a majority of whom are Catholic. Pakistani Christians have been pushing for sainthood for Shahbaz Bhatti, a Roman Catholic politician who was killed in 2011 for his criticism of the country’s blasphemy laws. PTI reported that the religious minority is hoping for a positive gesture on the matter during the Pope's visit.