Marcos declares period of mourning, flags at half-mast for Pope Francis

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday declared a period of national mourning over the passing of Pope Francis.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the period of national mourning is effective immediately until the day of the Pontiff's burial.

“During this period, the Philippine flag shall be flown at half-mast on all government buildings and installations in the country and abroad,” Malacañang said.

“We join the world in mourning a leader of faith, love and humanity,” it added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the President and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos will attend the Pope’s funeral.

For the working class

Meanwhile, TRABAHO party-list honored Pope Francis as a “transformative and compassionate leader.”

“We join the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, and we celebrate his life works dedicated to service for the poor, the marginalized, and the working class,” TRABAHO party-list spokesperson Mitchell-David Espiritu said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Like Pope Francis, we believe in a world where no one is left behind, especially not our workers, the poor, and the vulnerable,” he added.

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected as successor to the late Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

He died on Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and irreversible heart failure. He recently suffered from double pneumonia, which caused him to be hospitalized for weeks.

On Tuesday, the Vatican announced that the funeral service will be held on Saturday in St. Peter's Square.

In his will, Pope Francis asked to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb inside his beloved Roman basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore.