President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) arrived at Roma Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino) on Friday (25), around 1:30 pm (local time), 8:30 am in Brasilia, to participate in Pope Francis’ funeral.
The president’s entourage embarked on Thursday (22) at 22h.
The funeral is scheduled for this Saturday (26). The first lady Janja da Silva accompanies the president on the trip.
Representatives of the three powers accompany Lula: the president of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), Luis Roberto Barroso, and the presidents of the House of Representatives and Senate, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB) and Davi Alcolumbre (Union-AP).
It is expected that the entourage will return to Brasilia on Saturday (26), after the funeral.
As showed the CNN this will be the second presence of the petista in a funeral of a pontiff.
He was in 2005 in the farewell of John Paul 2nd. The next Pope will be the fourth seen by Lula while holding the position of president.
Pope Francis’ death
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday, after suffering a stroke followed by heart failure.
It is unlikely that a conclave to choose a new pontiff start before Tuesday, May 6.
The cardinals present in Rome meet almost daily, especially to discuss logistical issues.
Francisco’s coffin will be sealed in a private ceremony on Friday night, led by eight Catholic cardinals, including an American prelate that has faced criticism for his conduct of cases of sexual abuse.
This content was originally published in Lula arrives in Rome to Pope Francis’ funeral on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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