Islamabad (AsiaNews) During an 11-day apostolic pilgrimage to the lands of the Middle East that began on February 16 1981, Pope John Paul II made a stop in Pakistan.
In Karachi airport the Pontiff expressed his satisfaction that both government and Church were working in harmony to solve common problems like that of refugees.
Speaking to the country's political leaders, the Pope assured them that "the Church intends to work with the authorities with however limited resources she may have".
John Paul II only spent a day in Pakistan but on departing he said he was committed to "meeting members of Christian communities around the world and better understand them and their needs, especially to encourage them in their practice of the Christian faith."
He also encouraged Catholics and Muslims to engage one another in a dialogue and in mutual understanding on the basis of some common values: "faith in an all-mighty God, prayers, charity and fasting".