PAKISTAN'S CHRISTIANS DELIGHTED

PAKISTAN'S CHRISTIANS have welcomed the elevation of Archbishop Joseph Coutts to Cardinal.

Coutts, the 73-year-old archbishop of  Karachi, was among the 14 new cardinals appointed by  Pope Francis at a ceremony on Thursday.

He is only the second cardinal from Muslim-majority Pakistan, after Cardinal Joseph Cordero, who died in 1994.

Christians are a tiny minority in Pakistan, where they face discrimination and where they have been targeted by Islamic extremists.

Father Mario Rodrigues, a Christian community leader, says the appointment of Coutts is an honor for the nation and recognizes promotion of inter-faith harmony. Father Amanat Yousaf says Coutts will be a bridge between  Pakistan and International community.

Coutts would be eligible to vote in a conclave to select a new pope. [Agencies].