First Couple will attend Pope Francis’ funeral

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will join dozens of global leaders in Rome on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

He died of complications from a stroke and heart failure.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the First Couple’s attendance in a message to Malacañang reporters on Wednesday.

“The President will attend the funeral of the Pope,” she said on Viber. “The President and the First Lady will [go].”

While the Office of the President has yet to release official details of their travel itinerary or delegation, sources say the Marcoses are expected to arrive in Rome ahead of the solemn ceremony scheduled for Saturday at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of mourners, including cardinals, heads of state, and the public from around the world.

Historic papacy, humble legacy

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy. He served as the 266th leader of the Catholic Church and became widely known for his humble lifestyle, progressive views on social issues, and strong advocacy for the poor and marginalized.

Breaking with centuries of tradition, Pope Francis requested to be buried outside the Vatican’s papal crypts, opting instead for the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore — one of Rome’s oldest Marian churches and a site of deep personal devotion for him. It was here that he often came to pray before and after his international travels.

In keeping with his characteristic humility, he also asked for a simple headstone bearing only his Latin papal name: Franciscus.

He will be the first pope in more than a hundred years to be laid to rest outside Vatican walls — a decision that underscores his lifelong commitment to simplicity and accessibility, both hallmarks of his decade-long papacy.

Phl’s connection to Vatican

The Philippines, the third-largest Catholic country in the world, has long maintained close ties to the Holy See. Pope Francis further strengthened that bond during his historic 2015 visit to Manila and Tacloban, where he celebrated Mass before millions of Filipinos at the Luneta and comforted the survivors of the catastrophic typhoon “Yolanda.”

The First Couple’s attendance at the funeral reflects the country’s enduring connection to the Catholic Church and honors the memory of a Pope who left a lasting imprint on Filipinos by his compassion, teachings, and leadership.

Gathering of global leaders

President Marcos and the First Lady will be among a diverse gathering of world leaders expected to attend the funeral. Among them will be US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William representing the British Crown, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena, and Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

Heads of state from Germany, Spain, Ireland, Brazil, Poland and the Baltic states have also confirmed their attendance. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are likewise expected.

The funeral Mass will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, and broadcast live worldwide. Security measures are already in place around Vatican City as thousands of pilgrims and dignitaries are expected to converge on Rome.