PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday declared a period of national mourning, effective immediately and until the burial of Pope Francis on Saturday in the Vatican City.
“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 in Proclamation No. 871.
Marcos and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos will attend the funeral, the Palace said earlier yesterday.
The proclamation was signed yesterday.
“During this period of mourning, the national flag shall be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset, on all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad,” the proclamation said.
The proclamation said the pope holds a special place in the hearts of the Filipino people, particularly for his apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015 when he offered comfort to and expressed solidarity with victims of typhoon “Yolanda,” and celebrated the resilience of the Filipino faithful despite adversities.
“This nation expresses solidarity with the world as our generation mourns the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, with loving prayers for his eternal peace,” it added.
The Philippines is home to more than 80 million Catholics, or nearly 80% of the population, making it one of only two majority Christian nations in Asia along with tiny East Timor.
Francis drew a record crowd of up to seven million people at a historic Mass in Manila during the 2015 visit.
Since his death on Monday, the Catholic Church has held Masses across the Philippines for Francis.
At the Baclaran Church in Manila, some worshippers yesterday wore shirts bearing Pope Francis’ image – leftover merchandise from his 2015 visit.
Emma Avancena, 76, who was a volunteer during the pope’s visit, said she felt sad about his death but added, “I feel blessed because we were blessed face to face, eye to eye (during the visit).”
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said details of the First Couple’s trip to the Vatican are still being finalized.
It will be the President’s first trip abroad this year.
Marcos joins over a dozen world leaders who have so far confirmed their attendance to the funeral which will be held on Saturday.
Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, EU institutions and Francis’ home nation of Argentina have also confirmed their presence.
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.
Among them are Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, President Javier Milei of the pope’s native Argentina, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, US President Donald Trump, and leaders of Belgium, Brazil, Switzerland, East Timor, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will reportedly also attend.
Yesterday, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said the island’s former vice president, Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic who has attended Vatican events previously, would go to the funeral as special envoy of President Lai Ching-te.
Chinese-claimed Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican, one of only 12 countries to do so, and any international trips by Taiwanese presidents inevitably attracts strong opposition from Beijing.
Pope Francis’ body is now at St Peter’s Basilica, following a solemn procession from his residence within the walls of the Vatican City.
The body of the 88-year-old pope died on Monday in his room at the Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke.
Francis, who had only recently left hospital after five weeks being treated for double pneumonia, last appeared in public on Sunday, when he delighted onlookers gathered to celebrate Easter by being driven around the packed square in his white, open-topped popemobile. – With Reuters
