RABAT — Pope Francis has called for tolerance and peace at a mass for thousands of Catholics during a rare visit by a pontiff to Morocco, after warning the faithful there against trying to convert others. Islam is the state religion and authorities are keen to stress the country's "religious tolerance", which allows Christians and Jews to worship freely. Francis is the first pontiff to visit the North African country since John Paul II in 1985 and the cathedral had been repainted for the occasion. Waiting for the pope outside, a Nigerian man said the visit "shows that living together is possible in Morocco". Following the summit, designed to educate bishops, the pope promised an "all-out battle" against abusive priests.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 01, 2019 16:52 UTC