President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will fly to Vatican City to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro. He will be accompanied by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos.
In a statement, Marcos expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis, whom he described as the “best Pope” in his lifetime and praised for his humility and deep faith. “Pope Francis led with wisdom and a heart that embraced the poor and forgotten,” Marcos said.
First Lady Liza also shared her sentiments, calling the late pontiff “a saint on earth” and thanking him in a heartfelt tribute online. Her message was accompanied by a photo of their meeting with the Pope.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on Monday at age 88 due to a stroke and heart failure following complications from double pneumonia. His passing was confirmed by Vatican physician Andrea Arcangeli.
Elected as the head of the Catholic Church in March 2013, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. He held a special place in the hearts of Filipinos, endearingly called “Lolo Kiko,” especially after his memorable visit to the Philippines in 2015.
The late Pope requested a modest burial inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he often prayed before and after his travels. His funeral is set for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Vatican time in St. Peter’s Square.