Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday said he was thankful to Pope Francis for raising his voice on the Palestinian issue, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

During his important meeting with the Pope at Vatican City, he said to him that everybody had appreciated his bold stance on the Israeli atrocities in Gaza. “Your services for the world’s peace are praiseworthy,” the interior minister said.

He, on the occasion, informed the host of the steps taken by the government of Pakistan against militants and the sacrifices given by the country's army in the war on terror. “Protecting minorities is our topmost priority,” he said, adding, “The last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the constitution of Pakistan all have laid an emphasis on the protection of rights of minorities.”

Mohsin Naqvi said that minorities living in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights.

Speaking on the occasion, the Pope praised the government of Pakistan for immediately repairing and rebuilding the churches destroyed during the Jarranwala riots.

“I have a message of peace for the people of Pakistan,” he said, adding, “Together we have to work for peace in the world.”

He said he had been invited by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Pakistan. “I will try my best to visit the country.”

Describing the situation in Gaza as a source of concern, the Pope said he called rescue personnel working in the strip daily at 7 in the evening and received updates from them.

Earlier, the interior minister was given a warm reception on arrival at the Vatican.