By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will be attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed to Palace reporters that the First Couple would attend the Pontiff’s funeral on Saturday.
“The President will attend the funeral of the Pope,” Castro said. “The President and the First Lady will do.”
However, Castro did not say when the First Couple would depart the country for the late Pope’s funeral.
Pope Francis died at age 88 after suffering a prolonged illness, the Vatican announced on Monday.
The Vatican said the late pontiff’s funeral has been set for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (4:00 p.m. Manila time) at Saint Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis’ remains will be taken to Saint Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, Italy for entombment.
He suffered from a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” associated with thrombocytopenia, based on the previous Vatican statement.
Pope Francis was elected Supreme Pontiff on March 13, 2013, becoming the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the position.
Before his passing, he appeared before the crowd at Saint Peter’s Square with a message of “Happy Easter”.
Pope Francis visited the Philippines, the largest Catholic nation in Asia, in 2015.
On Monday, Marcos paid tribute to the late pontiff, describing him as the “best Pope” in his lifetime.
