INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
selfie with the Pope has gone viral has spoken of his "heartache" at the treatment of minorities in Pakistan, and said the pontiff told him
conference at the Vatican last month.He presented Pope Francis with an ajrak shawl, a traditional blockprinted garment from Sindh province,
and the two posed for the picture in which the pontiff can be seen with the gift draped around his shoulders and grinning broadly."My heart
is full of happiness," Bashir captioned the image on Facebook
"He was very happy to see the ajrak I also met him personally later and gifted him a blanket," Bashir told AFP late Friday
The pontiff then told him that he "daily prays for peace in Pakistan", Bashir added
The image quickly went viral and Bashir found himself in the spotlight, telling AFP he has been receiving calls from media ever since.He
said he and the pontiff also spoke of the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan, where Muslims account for more than 90 percent of
to see the incidents with Christians and minorities," Bashir said."Minorities are oppressed too much and with this reference my heart
aches," he said, though he added: "But we are happy in Pakistan." He said he also discussed the topic at the conference, telling fellow
delegates from around the world that education would allow children in their community to "face it better"."Our Bible tells us that we
neurosurgery, as he had planned, he now wants to enter the church."I will present myself to become a priest and join a seminary in June," he
