There are around 30,000 (including 23,000 Catholics) of them in this majority Muslim nation of 35 million people.

Pope Francis suggested four actions were needed to assist migrants in their plight today: “accept; protect; promote; and integrate.”

Pope Francis said he hoped his visit would “strengthen the bonds of sincere friendship,” mutual respect and cooperation between Christians and Muslims “and enable our communities to prepare a better future for coming generations.”

Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI: "the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif must be protected and promoted.”

New guidelines and legislation in the Vatican City State are aimed at preventing physical and sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults in that territory.

“I come as a pilgrim of peace and fraternity, in a world that greatly needs it,” the pope said in a video message to the “dear people of Morocco” on the eve of his visit this weekend.