Marcos at Pope’s funeral: A ‘gesture of deep respect’ from PH

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City on Saturday, April 26. —Photo from Presidential Communications Office

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said that his attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City represents the everyday Filipinos who want to pay their last respects to the pontiff “who made them feel seen.”

Marcos said that his attendance is a “gesture of deep respect” from the Philippines to a Pope who inspired and touched the hearts of millions.

“I represented not just the Philippine government, but the everyday Filipino—prayerful, hopeful and grateful—who would have wanted to be there to say thank you to a shepherd who made them feel seen,” Marcos said in a message.

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Marcos added that it is a “moment of shared faith, national pride, and quiet tribute from the Filipino people to a Pope who walked with the humble and gave voice to the unseen.”

Marcos joined other world leaders and around 250,000 mourners at the funeral of Pope Francis at the St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Marcos was accompanied by first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

Through Proclamation No. 871, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the president on Wednesday declared a period of national mourning over the death of the pontiff.

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The declaration said that the supreme Catholic church leader “became a global symbol of humility, compassion, and peace, devoting his ministry to the care of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable, and advocating tirelessly for social justice, equality, and interfaith dialogue.”

The Pope was laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore. The Supreme leader of the Catholic church died on April 21 at the age of 88, just a day after he made a public appearance for Easter Sunday.