King Mohamed VI welcomed Francis as he arrived in Rabat during an unusual rainstorm and began a 27-hour visit aimed at boosting Christian-Muslim ties and showing solidarity with Morocco’s ever-growing migrant community.
Morocco last year became the main destination for sub-Saharan African migrants seeking to reach Europe via Spain. The influx has strained the kingdom’s resources and fuelled anti-migrant sentiment in Spain.
After an airport greeting, the two leaders took separate vehicles – Francis in his pope-mobile and the king in a Mercedes with a retracted roof – and paraded in tandem into town for a formal welcome ceremony at the Hassan Tower complex, where two of Morocco’s past monarchs are buried.
Francis told the king that he hopes Morocco will continue to be a model of humanity, welcome and protection for migrants.
He said: “The issue of migration will never be resolved by raising barriers, fomenting fear of others or denying assistance to those who legitimately aspire to a better life for themselves and their families.”
He called for a change of attitude towards migrants that respects them as people, worthy of dignity and rights, and not just statistics.
He said world leaders must address the economic imbalances and unrest on Earth that fuel conflicts and migration flows.
“Today’s grave migration crisis…
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