HM the King expressed to Pope Francis his warmest congratulations and his best wishes for good health, happiness and success in his lofty mission and in his endeavours to serve the Catholic Church and uphold the spiritual values of mankind.

    The Sovereign also expressed his keenness to strengthen the special relationship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Vatican. He said that this relationship was given strong momentum by the historical visit by Pope John Paul II to Morocco during the reign of the late HM King Hassan II.

    The visit, the message continued, provided a solid foundation for Morocco to build bridges of fruitful dialogue, understanding and mutual respect between the Christian and the Islamic worlds.

    In this regard, HM the King said that in his capacity as Commander of the Faithful in Morocco, he has a sacred religious and spiritual mission which consists in preserving the spiritual values brought to mankind by the revealed religions, and enshrined in the Holy Books.

    He added that he considers himself to be a staunch advocate of - and firm believer in - those values, of which His Holiness is a fervent champion.

    HM King Mohammed VI assured the Pope that Morocco will strongly support all efforts and initiatives that can promote the aforementioned ideals among the followers of the revealed religions, and incorporate them into a global system of common human values to achieve spiritual security and peaceful coexistence among nations.

    As Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Al-Quds Committee, who is entrusted with preserving the religious, cultural and historical identity of this holy city as a symbol of coexistence between the three revealed religions, the Sovereign took the opportunity of Francis's appointment as Bishop of Rome to reiterate their collective pledge to preserving coexistence and harmony between the children of Abraham -may peace be upon him.