Azziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI this Sunday morning at the official inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
The ceremony was attended by numerous heads of state and government who participated in the rituals marking the new pope’s ascent to the papal throne, following his election on May 8 as the leader of the Catholic Church.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Akhannouch approached to greet Pope Leo XIV, who later received the heads of the official delegations inside St. Peter’s Cathedral.
King Mohammed VI had sent a congratulatory message to Pope Leo XIV, praising the strong ties that bind the Kingdom of Morocco and the Holy See.
In this message, the King affirmed that Morocco and the Vatican share a long history of diplomatic and spiritual traditions, grounded in mutual respect, understanding, and collaborative efforts for peace and coexistence.
The King emphasized that Morocco, as a land of harmony among monotheistic religions, will continue its efforts to promote solidarity and harmony among peoples, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening these unique ties during the new pope’s tenure.
The King expressed hope that these relations would continue to develop, serving the ongoing dialogue between Muslims and Christians, rooted in the common human values that unite the heavenly religions.
