Lula and his entourage attend Pope Francis’ funeral
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his delegation landed in Rome on Friday (Apr. 25) to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for this Saturday (26). 
In addition to First Lady Janja Lula da Silva, a group of 18 authorities—including four ministers and 12 Congress —are accompanying the president. He and his entourage have visited the place where the funeral will be held.
Today is the last day of the open funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where Pope Francis’ body lies. Over 128 thousand people paid homage to the pontiff during the three days of the funeral.
Pope Francis’ funeral and mass will start at 10am local time this Saturday. The rites mark the beginning of Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and prayers for the pontiff’s soul.
The coffin will then be taken to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, outside the Vatican, where the body will be buried, as requested by the pontiff.
Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis was aged 88 when he died last Monday (21) from a stroke followed by a coma and irreversible cardiovascular collapse.
On the occasion, President Lula decreed official mourning for seven days and posted a message underlining the pontiff’s role in fighting for world peace, spreading love and combating intolerance and inequality.
After the nine days of mourning, the Vatican will begin the conclave to choose the new leader of the Catholic Church.
