Philippines honors the late pontiff as President Marcos and First Lady attend historic funeral with global dignitaries and royalty
VATICAN CITY — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joined an extraordinary assembly of global leaders, royalty, and religious figures on April 26, 2025, as the world gathered at St. Peter’s Square to pay final respects to Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Their attendance represented not only the Philippine government but the nation’s deep-rooted Catholic faith. With over 80 million adherents, the Philippines remains the largest Catholic country in Asia and the third-largest in the world.
A Global Tribute to a Humble Pontiff
Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, after a historic 12-year papacy marked by humility, compassion, and advocacy for the poor and marginalized. His funeral drew more than 250,000 mourners and at least 170 official delegations from around the globe.
Among those present were U.S. President Donald Trump, former U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Representing the British monarchy, Prince William stood in for King Charles III—underscoring the diplomatic and spiritual importance of the event.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the funeral Mass. His homily highlighted Pope Francis’legacy of inclusion and his unwavering devotion to the dignity of every human life.
A Filipino Tribute
President Marcos called his presence “a gesture of deep respect from the Filipino people” to a spiritual leader who had long inspired and comforted millions in the Philippines.
“It is a moment of shared faith, national pride, and quiet tribute from the Filipino people to a shepherd who walked with the humble and gave voice to the unseen,” the President said in a statement.
During the ceremonies, Marcos and the First Lady were seen exchanging brief pleasantries with President Trump and former President Biden—small but meaningful gestures of unity among leaders amid a global moment of grief.
A Humble Burial
Following the funeral Mass, Pope Francis was interred at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, fulfilling his wish for a simple burial. His final resting place is marked only by the Latin inscription “Franciscus” and a single white rose, symbolizing the humility that defined his papacy. Santa Maria Maggiore held special significance for the late Pope, who often visited the basilica to pray before major travels and decisions.
Remembering the Pope of the People
Pope Francis holds a cherished place in Philippine memory. During his 2015 apostolic visit, he celebrated a record-breaking open-air Mass at Luneta Park attended by an estimated six to seven million faithful. He also traveled to Tacloban, where he offered solace to survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, showing deep empathy in the face of national tragedy.
As the Church prepares to elect a new pope, three Filipino cardinals—Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Jose Cardinal Advincula, and Orlando Cardinal Quevedo—will participate in the upcoming conclave, reinforcing the Philippines’ growing influence in the global Church.
For the Philippines, the farewell to Pope Francis was more than a diplomatic engagement. It was a solemn reaffirmation of faith and gratitude—an acknowledgment of a pontiff who inspired a nation with his humility, sincerity, and moral clarity.
President Marcos urged Filipinos to carry forward the Pope’s teachings:
“Let us continue to walk the path of compassion, humility, and solidarity that Pope Francis so beautifully showed us—a path that calls us to serve others, especially the poor and forgotten.”
As the bells of St. Peter’s tolled and the crowds offered final prayers, the presence of the Philippine delegation served as a quiet but powerful symbol: that even across continents, the Filipino faithful remained close to the heart of the Church.
