First couple to attend Pope’s funeral
President Marcos will join world leaders at the Vatican on Saturday to pay his last respects to Pope Francis, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed that Mr. Marcos, accompanied by wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, will be attending Francis’ funeral at the papal enclave in Rome.
“The President and the first lady will attend the funeral of the Pope,” Castro said without giving details about the trip.
Mr. Marcos also signed Proclamation No. 871 declaring a four-day period of national mourning for the Pope’s death, beginning Wednesday until his burial on Saturday.
“During this period of mourning, the national flag shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, on all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad,” Mr. Marcos said.
The Pope’s funeral will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Square and is expected to draw heads of state and government from around the world, including US President Donald Trump, who clashed repeatedly with the Pope on social issues.
Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, European Union institutions and Francis’ home nation of Argentina have also confirmed their presence.
Simple, unadorned tomb
In his will, the Pope asked to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb inside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he prayed before and after every trip he took as pontiff.
At least 200,000 people are expected to attend the outdoor service, the head of Italy’s civil protection agency, Fabio Ciciliano, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
A conclave to choose the new pope is not expected to start before May 6, with cardinals now flocking to Rome only due to decide the date following what are often prolonged discussions.
With his decision to attend the papal funeral, Mr. Marcos will be skipping some scheduled activities, including campaign rallies of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in Pangasinan on Friday and in Bulacan on Saturday.
He will also miss the graduation rites of the Philippine National Police Academy, as well as the Konsyerto sa Palasyo on Sunday.
In his proclamation, Mr. Marcos recalled the Pope’s historic apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015, “where he offered comfort and solidarity to victims of Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda,’ and celebrated the resilience of the Filipino faithful despite adversities.”
“The passing of Pope Francis is a moment of profound sorrow for the Catholic Church and for the Filipino people, who recognize him as a global leader of compassion and a tireless advocate for peace, justice and human dignity,” the President said.
On Monday morning, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and irreversible heart failure.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis became the leader of the Catholic Church in March 2013, the first Pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit.
He visited the Philippines in January 2015, where he celebrated Mass before millions of Catholic devotees in Manila and in Tacloban City.
Mourning period
The Pope’s body was to be transferred on Wednesday morning to St. Peter’s Basilica, which would be kept open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn. The public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m.
Once inside the basilica, his casket won’t be put on an elevated bier—as was the case with past popes—but will just be placed on the main altar of the 16th-century basilica, simply facing the pews.
Italian police have tightened security for the viewing and the funeral, carrying out foot and horse patrols around the Vatican, where pilgrims continued to arrive for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis opened in December. The faithful who walk through St. Peter’s Holy Door are granted indulgences, a way to help atone for sins.
“For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor, as well as a great friend to all of us,’’ said Micale Sales, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica from Brazil.
“I think he spread a positive message around the world, saying there shouldn’t be any violence, there should be peace around the world,” said Amit Kukreja, from Australia.
History’s first Latin American Pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter blessing and popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Square. —WITH REPORTS FROM REUTERS AND AP
