Cardinal Advincula leaves for Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral, conclave

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Thursday evening left for Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

In a Facebook post, the Archdiocese of Manila-Office of Communications posted photos of Cardinal Advincula entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Earlier today, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David also left the country to fly to Rome.

Aside from attending Pope Francis’ funeral, which was set on Saturday, Advincula and David are also expected to attend the conclave or papal election.

Filipino cardinals

Advincula, David, and Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, are eligible to participate in the papal election.

Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Cotabato Archbishop Emeritus Orlando Cardinal Quevedo cannot participate in the election since they are over 80 years old.

However, they may join the preparatory General Congregations of the College of Cardinals.

Pope Francis 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. — BAP, GMA Integrated News