Posted April 1, 2019

On his 28-hour trip to the North African country March 30-31, Pope Francis received a warm welcome as he visited with civil and Islamic religious leaders plus Christians in the predominantly Muslim country. Read about highlights from the trip here, plus the pope’s comments to journalists on the flight back to Rome. (Photos by Catholic News Service)

  • People take cover from the rain as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the esplanade of the Hassan II Mosque in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/Youssef Boudlal, Reuters)

  • Pope Francis chats with King Mohammed VI after arriving at Rabat-Sale Airport in Morocco March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/ Vatican Media via Reuters)

  • People sit in the rain as Pope Francis meets with the Moroccan people, government authorities, civic leaders and the diplomatic corps at the esplanade of the Hassan II Mosque in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with the Moroccan people, government authorities, civic leaders and the diplomatic corps at the esplanade of the Hassan II Mosque in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with the Moroccan people, government authorities, civic leaders and the diplomatic corps at the esplanade of the Hassan II Mosque in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI of Morocco visit the Mohammed VI Institute for the training of imams and preachers in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Children perform for Pope Francis as he meets with migrants in the diocesan Caritas center in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI of Morocco visit the Mohammed VI Institute for the training of imams and preachers in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis greets family members as he visits the Rural Center for Social Services at Temara, south of Rabat, Morocco, March 31, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis greets women as he visits the Rural Center for Social Services at Temara, south of Rabat, Morocco, March 31, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis greets children as he meets with priests, religious men and women and the ecumenical Council of Churches at the cathedral in Rabat, Morocco, March 31, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis greets nuns as he meets with priests, religious men and women and the ecumenical Council of Churches at the cathedral in Rabat, Morocco, March 31, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, March 31, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • People wave flags before Pope Francis’ arrival to celebrate Mass at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, March 31, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

  • Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI sign a joint declaration at the royal palace in Rabat, Morocco, March 30, 2019. The agreement pleaded for international recognition of “the unique and sacred character of Jerusalem.” (CNS photo/Vatican Media)