Mussolini is shown in newsreel footage achieving one of his great successes, rapprochement with the Vatican and recognition of the Italian state by the Roman Catholic Church, reciprocated by Catholicism being given established church status in Italy. What is less commonly known is that Mussolini was a great admirer of Islam, and said privately that he wished Italians had adopted Islam as it would toughen them up. Italy did have a large number of Muslims in its North African colonies and Mussolini called these Italy's "Fourth Shore". He later took the title "Sword of Islam" and "Protector of Islam". Mussolini built and restored mosques and Koranic schools there, preparing service facilities for the pilgrims going to Mecca and even making a High School of Islamic Culture in Tripoli. In fact, Mussolini's handling of both the Roman Catholic Church and Islam rank among his greater political achievements.