Pope Francis departs Morocco after a two-day official visit

RABAT, March 31 (KUNA) -- Vatican Pope Francis left Morocco on Sunday after a two-day official visit at the invitation of King Mohammad VI.
The Pope's visit was marked by the signing of "Al-Quds appeal" signed by King Mohammad VI, who heads of Jerusalem committee, and Pope Francis.
The declaration aims at preserving the identity of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and preserving its spiritual and symbolic status.
King Mohammad VI and Pope Francis delivered two historic speeches to thousands of people from different religions, stressing the importance of dialogue among faiths and cultures in order to consolidate the values of tolerance and co-existence among the believers.
At the end of his visit, the Pope held a mass in the presence of thousands of Christians residing in Morocco as well as a number of members of the Moroccan government, leaders of political parties and representatives of religious groups in Morocco as well as members of diplomatic missions accredited in Rabat.
During the Mass, Pope Francis called for the strengthening of ties of human goodwill and not to treat people on a religious or racial basis.
The pope's visit to Morocco follows his visit to the United Arab Emirates and comes 34 years after John Paul II's historic visit to Morocco in 1985, where consensus was reached on promoting dialogue between Islam and Christianity. (end) mry.aa