Africa-Press – Mozambique. The President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, attended the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Saturday. Speaking to the press, the head of state highlighted the deep bond of friendship between the late Pontiff and the Mozambican people, underlining the importance of preserving and disseminating the values of peace, reconciliation and love for one’s neighbour promoted by the Holy Father.
“Pope Francis was a friend of Mozambique. And being a friend of Mozambique, it made no sense for us not to come here,” the statesman said of the presence of the Mozambican delegation at the solemn ceremony. In addition to President Chapo, First Lady Gueta Selemane Chapo and the Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, Mateus Saize, were also present.
The Mozambican president recalled Francis’ historic visit to Mozambique in September 2019, when the Pope brought a message of hope to a country that was rebuilding itself after successive political and natural challenges. “Because he was a man who, when visiting Mozambique, left a message of peace, hope and reconciliation for the Mozambican people and, above all, the need to love one’s neighbour,” Chapo said.
The funeral ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. local time, followed by the Pope’s burial in the atrium of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. World leaders and thousands of faithful gathered to pay their last respects to the Supreme Pontiff, whose departure also marks the beginning of the Novemdiales Masses. As prescribed by the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the funeral Mass is the first of nine Masses to be held daily at St. Peter’s through Sunday, May 4
The President of the Republic also highlighted the universal dimension of Francis’ legacy, recalling that the Pope transcended the borders of the Catholic Church. “He was a spiritual man, a spiritual leader, who was not only part of the Catholic Church, but of all religions in the world, because he defended inter-religious coexistence,” President Chapo stressed.
The president called on Mozambicans and the international community to follow the example of Pope Francis.
“The most important thing at this time is to uphold the legacy he left and continue to spread this message of love for our neighbour, peace in the world, reconciliation and, above all, to work to make the world a better place than it is today,” the president added.
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at Casa Santa Marta, where he had lived since the beginning of his pontificate.
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