Pakistan's Joseph Coutts was among the fourteen Archbishops who have been elevated to the rank of Cardinal at an impressive ceremony held at the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica.

Archbishop Joseph Coutts of the Catholic Church of Karachi is the second Pakistani accorded this honour after Cardinal Joseph Cordeiro, who was appointed in 1973.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammad Yusuf Shaikh led the Pakistan delegation to the ceremony.

Ministerial participation underscores the importance Pakistan attaches to the elevation of Archbishop Joseph Coutts to a Cardinal.

It also recognizes his contribution and services to the Catholic Church and promotion of inter-faith harmony in the country.

In the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, Cardinals come immediately after the Pope.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Cardinals is to elect a new Pope when the position becomes vacant.