President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Saturday joined world leaders and the Catholic faithful in paying final respects to Pope Francis.

The First Couple went to St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City for the late pontiff’s funeral, which started at 4 p.m. (PH time).

Around 170 world leaders and 200,000 people attended Pope Francis’ funeral, according to a Presidential Communications Office statement.

In an interview with GMA News when they arrived in Vatican, the First Lady recalled her fond memories of meeting Pope Francis, describing him as “humble [and] kind.”

Marcos said his attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral was “a gesture of deep respect” for “a Pope who touched the hearts of millions.”

“I represented not just the Philippine government, but the everyday Filipino — prayerful, hopeful and grateful — who would have wanted to be there to say thank you to a shepherd who made them feel seen,” he said in a later statement.

“This is a moment of shared faith, national pride, and quiet tribute from the Filipino people to a Pope who walked with the humble and gave voice to the unseen,” Marcos added.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 due to “cerebral stroke, coma and irreversible cardiovascular collapse,” according to the medical certificate published on the Vatican website.

In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest not in the traditional papal tombs beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, but in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

He will be the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican.

Marcos, through Proclamation 871 issued on Wednesday, declared a period of national mourning in the entire country, ordering Philippine flags to be flown half-staff in all government buildings and installations until the pontiff’s burial.

Filipinos’ Lolo Kiko

During his Apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015, Pope Francis offered solace and support to the victims of 2013’s Super Typhoon Yolanda and celebrated the Filipinos’ resilience.

Pope Francis, known for his remarkable simplicity and humility throughout his leadership, made history as the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pontiff in more than 1,200 years to be elected as head of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013.

He adopted the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the poor. (PNA)