Portugal institutes three days of official mourning.
Here's Tomorrow's Agenda:
Looks like we've got a Council of Ministers lined up tomorrow where we'll be finalizing our decision to declare three days of national mourning: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. That's the scoop Luís Montenegro shared with the press while touring the Madeira Central and University Hospital construction site.
In his chat with journalists, he also dropped a hint about Portugal's participation in Pope Francis' funeral ceremonies in Rome on Saturday. Apparently, he'll be joining forces with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Assembly of the Republic Aguiar-Branco, and Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel for the solemn occasion.
Montenegro added that Portugal's involvement in the papal funeral will be "at the highest level." They're already in the organizational phase, and as things stand, Portugal's delegation will indeed be attending the event at the highest political level, but we'll have to wait for more details.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday at 88, after a 12-year pontificate. Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, he made history as the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday at the Vatican before he was hospitalized for 38 days due to bilateral pneumonia and discharged on March 23.
It's expected that Pope Francis' funeral ceremonies in Rome will draw significant international attention. With over 50 world leaders and 11 reigning monarchs confirmed for the funeral Mass, participation from the highest political echelons seems inevitable. Portugal—a traditionally Catholic country—is likely to send its President and/or high-ranking government officials as well, similar to its past representation at major papal funerals of significance.
Portugal is anticipated to be represented at the highest political level during Pope Francis' funeral ceremonies in Rome, as President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Assembly of the Republic Aguiar-Branco, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel, and potentially other high-ranking officials, are expected to attend. Meanwhile, the participation of Portugal in the proceedings is likely to be covered widely by general news channels, due to the international significance of the event.
