Roman Catholic Church in Pakistan

Roman Catholic Church in Pakistan

The Roman Catholic Church in Pakistan is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. Pope John Paul II visited Pakistan on February 16, 1981.
There are over one million Catholics in Pakistan, which represents less than 1% of the total population. There are 7 ecclesiastical units in Pakistan comprising 2 archdioceses, 4 dioceses, and one Apostolic Vicariate, all Latin Rite.
The Catholic Church in Pakistan is also active in education managing leading schools like St. Patrick's High School Karachi,  health and other social aspects of daily life in addition to its spiritual work. The Catholic Church runs 534 schools, 53 hostels, 8 colleges, 7 technical institutes and 8 catechetical centers, according to 2008 statistics.
Joseph Corderio, Archbishop of Karachi, became the first (and thus far only) Pakistani Cardinal elevated to the position by Pope Paul VI on 5 Mar 1973.
Pope John Paul II received the President of Pakistan PErvez Musharraf  in a private audience in the Vatican on 30 September 2004. In 2004 President Pervez Musharraf began hosting an annual Christmas dinner as an expression of seasonal goodwill.
For the first time in the country’s history, Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, became the federal minister for minorities in 2008.Bhatti was assassinated February 2011.
Pope Benedict XVI met the Roman Catholic bishops of Pakistan on June 19, 2008. The bishops were in Rome for their ad limina visit.