Rome: Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, met with Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Deputy Secretary of State of the Holy See, at the Vatican to discuss bilateral relations and regional peace efforts. This meeting was part of Gilani’s visit to Rome leading a delegation representing Pakistan at the Pope’s inauguration ceremony.

Gilani shared his appreciation for the Pope’s recent remarks advocating for dialogue and peace in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. He expressed gratitude on behalf of Pakistan for the Pope’s focus on promoting regional harmony through peaceful means.

Archbishop Parra, who served as the Vatican’s representative in Islamabad from 2011 to 2015, emphasized his commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Vatican and Pakistan. He recalled his tenure in Islamabad fondly and expressed a desire to continue fostering bilateral exchanges.

Gilani highlighted Pakistan’s challenges, including its long-standing battle with terrorism and its role in hosting 3.5 million Afghan refugees since 1988. He underscored that maintaining a peaceful neighborhood aligns with Pakistan’s interests and reiterated the country’s dedication to pursuing peace and prosperity through dialogue.

The meeting concluded with both parties expressing a mutual desire to maintain close contact and collaborate on spreading the message of peace.