Morocco’s King represented at Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass as Pontiff

King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, was represented at the official inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch.

The investiture ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, elected as the Head of the Catholic Church, was held in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Sunday morning, and was attended by several heads of state and government.

Following the Mass, Akhannouch greeted Pope Leo XIV, who then received the various heads of delegations in St. Peter’s Basilica.

King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, had extended his congratulations and best wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV upon his investiture as pontiff.

“The Kingdom of Morocco and the Holy See, as the custodians of longstanding diplomatic and spiritual traditions, are united by time-honored ties rooted in fraternal understanding and mutual esteem,” the Sovereign had underlined in his message, adding that they are “also united by an unwavering commitment to peace and the principles of living together.”

As “a land of fraternal coexistence between the followers of the monotheistic religions, the Kingdom of Morocco works tirelessly to promote a spirit of solidarity and harmony between different peoples and civilizations,” the King had stated, adding that this privileged relationship between Morocco and the Holy See “will continue in the same spirit of brotherhood, friendship and mutual understanding.”

King Mohammed VI had expressed hope that “these ties will be further strengthened to support and promote the ongoing dialogue between Muslims and Christians, in keeping with universal human values and the precepts shared by the monotheistic religions.”