Pope Francis praised Morocco as a model of religious moderation and migrant welcome as he kicked off a trip to the kingdom Saturday. He warned that barriers and fear-mongering won't stop people from exercising their rights to seek a better life elsewhere.
Pope Francis praised Morocco as a model of religious moderation that is welcoming to migrants as he kicked off a trip to the kingdom Saturday, warning that border walls and fearmongering won’t stop people from exercising their right to seek a better life elsewhere.
After an airport greeting, the king and pope took separate vehicles — Francis in his “popemobile” and the king in a Mercedes with a retracted roof — and paraded in tandem into the capital city for a formal welcome ceremony at the complex where two of Morocco’s former monarchs are buried. Women ululated as Francis and the king walked along the promenade of the Hassan Tower complex under umbrellas.
Later Saturday, the pontiff repeated the sentiment during an encounter with migrants from Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroon and other countries, telling them they deserved to be welcomed, protected and integrated into their new homes. He called for expanded legal channels for migration and for protections for the most vulnerable, regardless of their refugee status.
Francis has made the plight of refugees a hallmark of his papacy, and has used many of his foreign visits to insist on the need to welcome them, protect them and integrate them into society. Francis opened his remarks to the king by praising Morocco’s tradition of interfaith coexistence and its efforts to promote a moderate form of Islam.
The two leaders visited the institute together, where they heard from students and were treated to a vocal and orchestral performance that opened with a Muslim call to prayer, and blended Christian and Hebrew musical traditions.
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