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.
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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.
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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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