President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos on Saturday attended the funeral mass for Pope Francis in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The First Couple joined thousands of mourners, which also included other world leaders and dignitaries such as US President Donald Trump, UK’s Prince William, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Marcoses also had a brief interaction with former US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, before the funeral mass started around 4 p.m., Philippine time.
Speaking to GMA Integrated News’ Vicky Morales on Friday, the First Lady recalled the late pope’s kindness and humility during his visit to the Philippines in 2015.
“When I met him, he [was] humble and kind, and you feel like you’re blessed by God,” the First Lady said.
Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure on April 21, a day after he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to give his Easter blessing. He was 88 years old.
On Wednesday, Marcos declared a period of national mourning in the Philippines over the death of the pope. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
