(Adnkronos) – Italy on Wednesday expressed solidarity with Christians in Pakistan and called for their protection and the safeguarding of minorities and their religious freedom fundamental rights in the Muslim country and elsewhere in the world.
Cabinet undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano voiced the Italian government’s support for the rights Christians to Samson Shukardin, Bishop of Hyderabad and president of the Pakistani Catholic Bishops’ Conference during a meeting at the prime minister’s office in Rome.
Also present at Wednesday’s talks were Italy’s ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto, Aid to the Church in Need-Italy president Sandra Sarti, and the foundation’s director, Massimiliano Tubani.
The meeting “focused on the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan, with particular attention paid to Christian communities, who are often subjected to discrimination and situations of real suffering,” said a statement.
Mantovano expressed “solidarity with and closeness to” the communities in Pakistan and “confirmed the Italian government’s support for humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives to protect freedom of worship and fundamental rights,” the statement continued.
“The meeting took place in a profoundly cooperative atmosphere, with the hope being expressed of further strengthening joint action on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world,” the statement concluded.
