Pope Francis visits Morocco: Muslims and Christians are created to live as brothers and help each other

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Pope Francis will spend this weekend in Morocco to highlight Morocco's tradition of Christian-Muslim ties, show solidarity with migrants at the gateway to Europe and visit the small Catholic community in the country.

The first two points will be on the agenda today, at the start of a two-day visit to Rabat. The third will be addressed on Sunday, when he will celebrate Mass and meet with Moroccan priests and church leaders. 

The most important moment of the visit will likely be the Pope's visit today to the Mohammed VI Institute, a school for imams that reflects Morocco's efforts to promote moderate Islam and spread it across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

The Pope's program on Sunday includes, among other things, a meeting with priests, consecrated persons and representatives of the Ecumenical Council of Churches at the cathedral in Rabat. The highlight of the visit will be the afternoon Mass at the stadium in Rabat, after which he returns to Rome.

"Dear Moroccan friends, I come as a pilgrim of peace and fraternity. We, Christians and Muslims, believe in a merciful God who created people to live as brothers and sisters, respecting each other in diversity and helping each other in need," Pope Francis said on Friday via social media.