President felicitates His Holiness Pope Francis

(2013-03-17)

The President of Pakistan has sent the following message of felicitations to His Holiness Pope Francis.

“Your Holiness,

On behalf of the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it gives me immense pleasure to extend our sincerest felicitations on the momentous occasion of Your Holiness’s election as the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Your Holiness’s election is testimony to your piety, compassion, wisdom, and devotion, which have been the hallmark of your long services to the Church.

We look forward to Your Holiness’s continued services towards fostering peace, tolerance and interfaith harmony, and support fully the important role of Your Holiness in promoting understanding among the peoples of diverse religions and cultures.

I would like to this opportunity to extend my personal best wishes for Your Holiness’s well-being, health and happiness. May God grant you the wisdom and strength to meet enormous challenges of these difficult times.

Please accept, Your Holiness, the assurances of my highest consideration

(Asif Ali Zardari)
President of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan”

Islamabad
17 March 2013

068/2013