Christian convert, in Italy, thanks pope for appealing on his behalf

Published: 2006-03-31

ROME (CNS) -- After fleeing to Italy, an Afghan man who faced the death penalty for converting to Christianity thanked Pope Benedict XVI for appealing on his behalf. "In Kabul they would have killed me, I'm sure of that," Abdul Rahman said after he was granted refugee status in Italy on grounds of religious persecution. Speaking to a small group of Italian reporters March 30, Rahman thanked a number of people who pressed for his release; the first person he mentioned was the pope. Rahman, 41, arrived in Italy from Afghanistan in strict secrecy. He said he intended to stay in the country and find work. In the meantime, he was being cared for by the Italian Interior Ministry, officials said. Pope Benedict and others had appealed for Rahman's release, urging Afghan authorities to show respect for freedom of religion.

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