Pope to visit Morocco in March in big year for foreign trips

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is going to Morocco in March in what is expected to be a heavy year of foreign travel for the 81-year-old pontiff.

The Vatican on Tuesday confirmed the March 30-31 visit to Rabat and Casablanca.

Previously, there were rumours that Francis would travel to Marrakesh next month to participate in the adoption of a new U.N. global compact on migration.

The March visit is likely to feature migration, as well as touch on relations between Christians and Muslims.