Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI is praying that the assassination of Pakistan`s sole Christian minister last week will spur efforts to safeguard religious freedom for all people.
Benedict had met at the Vatican last year with Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan`s minority affairs minister. Bhatti, a Catholic, was battling to stop abuses under Pakistan`s blasphemy laws.
The pope had appealed for the release of a Christian woman in Pakistan facing the death penalty for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
Bhatti was shot dead on Wednesday. Benedict told the public in St. Peter`s Square Sunday he hopes that Bhatti`s "moving sacrifice" will wake up consciences to find the courage to work for religious freedom and equal dignity for all in Pakistan.
PTI
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