President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City, following the Pontiff’s passing earlier this week at the age of 88.
According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, the President will be accompanied by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos.
President Marcos expressed deep sorrow over the Pope’s death, honoring him as the “best Pope” he has known in his lifetime. He remembered Pope Francis as “a man of profound faith and humility.”
“Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten,” Marcos said in an earlier statement. “By example, Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another.”
The First Lady also shared her sentiments, recalling her personal encounter with the Pontiff. “Now heaven welcomes him home. Thank you, Pope Francis,” she posted along with a photo of their meeting, calling him a “saint on earth.”
The Vatican announced the Pope’s death on Monday. Vatican physician Dr. Andrea Arcangeli stated in the death certificate that Pope Francis died from a stroke and irreversible heart failure, following complications from double pneumonia.
Pope Francis, affectionately known as “Lolo Kiko” in the Philippines, visited the country in 2015. During his pastoral visit, he celebrated Mass at Manila Cathedral and the University of Santo Tomas, and braved stormy weather to hold an outdoor Mass in Tacloban City.
In his 2022 will, Pope Francis requested to be buried in a modest, unadorned tomb inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he often prayed before and after his travels.
The funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. local time in Vatican City (4 p.m. in the Philippines) at St. Peter’s Square.
