Marcos, First Lady to attend Pope Francis’ funeral

Marcos, First Lady to attend Pope Francis’ funeral – Palace

April 23, 2025 , 06:09 PM

By Clarist Mae Zablan

(April 23, 2025) – Pres. Bongbong Marcos will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, which is set to be held on April 26, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

The Palace told reporters that he will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on his upcoming trip to the Vatican City.

Pope Francis died at his residence at the age of 88 on Monday after suffering a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, the Vatican said.

Earlier this year, the pontiff was hospitalized due to double pneumonia then discharged more than a month later after showing signs of recovery.

On Wednesday, his body, laid out in an open wooden coffin, was carried in a solemn procession from his residence at Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he has been laid in state.

ALSO READ: Pope Francis’ body taken in procession to St Peter’s for lying in state

His funeral service will be held in St. Peter’s Square in front of the basilica.

In a statement last Monday, Marcos expressed sorrow over the passing of the Pope, whom he described as “the best Pope in my lifetime.”

“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… As we mourn his passing, we honor a life that brought hope and compassion to so many, and inspired us to love one another as Christ loved us,” the President said in another statement.

The Philippines, a former Spanish colony, is home to one of the largest Roman Catholic populations in the world. Based on the 2020 census, there are more than 85.6 million Filipino Catholics, comprising 78.8% of the country’s population.

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