President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to fly to Vatican City this Saturday, April 26, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro further noted that the President will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos.
Marcos will be among several world leaders traveling to Rome to pay their final respects at Pope Francis’s funeral.
The list of confirmed attendees includes high-profile global figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump, Prince William, President Javier Milei of Argentina, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
President Marcos had earlier expressed admiration for the Holy Father, calling him “the best Pope in my lifetime.”
He mourned alongside the global Catholic community, honoring Pope Francis’s life of love, humility, unwavering faith, and dedicated service to the poor.
Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed on Monday by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber.
The Pontiff had spent nearly 40 days at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic while being treated for a bout of double pneumonia.
His passing came just a day after he appeared before the faithful at St. Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday celebrations.
Moreover, in his spiritual testament dated June 29, 2022, Pope Francis expressed his wish to be laid to rest in a simple tomb at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
The 266th Pope of the Catholic Church was elected in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. The latter stepped down due to declining health.
