Marcos to depart Manila Thursday night for Pope Francis' funeral

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise ''Liza'' Araneta-Marcos will be departing Manila on Thursday night for the funeral of Pope Francis, Malacañang said.

The First Couple will attend the funeral of the Pontiff in Vatican City, along with around 170 dignitaries, including heads of state, on Saturday.

''Mamayang gabi po ang pag-alis po ng First Couple (The First Couple will leave the country this evening),'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing.

''The President and the First Lady will convey the thoughts and prayers of the Filipino people, who fondly recall Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines in 2015, his compassion, and his life of humility and service to the world,'' the Palace said in a separate statement.

On Monday, the Vatican announced the passing of Pope Francis. He was 88 and had a serious bout of double pneumonia. According to Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli in a death certificate, the pope died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure.

The Philippine President was in deep sorrow at the death of Pope Francis as he acknowledged the latter as the “best pope” in his lifetime.

Marcos also declared a period of national mourning over the death of the pope. --with Mariel Celine Serquiña/VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News