Royal Activities
Saturday 30 March 2019

Official Welcome Ceremony in Rabat in Honor of His Holiness Pope Francis

Official Welcome Ceremony in Rabat in Honor of His Holiness Pope Francis

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, chaired, Saturday at the Esplanade of the Hassan Mosque in Rabat, an official welcome ceremony in honor of his holiness Pope Francis.

At the arrival of the processions of the two Sovereigns at the Esplanade, HM King Mohammed VI and His Holiness Pope Francis saluted the flags while the national anthems of both countries were playing. A 21-gun salute was fired to welcome His Holiness Pope Francis.

Afterwards, HM the King and Pope Francis reviewed a detachment of the Royal Guard that made the honors before the Pope was greeted by the Head of Government, the speakers of the two houses of parliament, the Minister of State for Human Rights, HM the King’s advisors, the Interior minister, the minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Endowment and Islamic affairs, military figures, as well as catholic and Jewish religious leaders.

Afterwards, HM the King was greeted by the members of the delegation accompanying Pope Francis.

HM the King and his illustrious guest headed then for the Royal Gallery at the Esplanade of the Hassan Mosque where they delivered speeches before thousands of people from all faiths on the occasion of the first meeting between the Commander of the Faithful and his holiness Pope Francis.

Given the religious status and spiritual responsibility of the Commander of the Faithful and His Holiness the Pope, this meeting contributes to promoting the values of fraternity, peace and tolerance among peoples and nations and to consolidating interreligious dialogue, understanding and coexistence.

MAP 30 March 2019