The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for this Saturday in Rome.
The Colombian government confirmed this morning that the country’s delegation to the pontiff’s funeral services will be led by Veronica Alcocer, Colombia’s First Lady, and the Minister of Foreign Relations, Laura Sarabia. Both representatives will travel to Rome in the coming hours, according to local media reports in Colombia.
Petro’s absence from the ceremony has drawn criticism in Colombia, particularly following the president’s warm remarks after news of Francis’s passing. Petro described the late pope as “a friend.”
Petro of Colombia will not attend Pope Francis’s funeral
Despite the close relationship between the Colombian president and the Argentine pope, Gustavo Petro will not attend the pontiff’s funeral in Rome this Saturday, April 26. Official sources confirmed the news after local media reported that the Colombian delegation would instead be headed by the First Lady and the Minister of Foreign Relations.
The delegation will also include the Colombian ambassador to the Vatican, Alberto Ospina, who may carry out his final official act at the Holy See before being replaced by the new ambassador, former Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez.
President Petro’s wife, Veronica Alcocer, shared a message on the social media platform X following the pope’s death, thanking him for his impact even beyond the Catholic Church.
“His Holiness Pope Francis, infinite thanks for being a perfect example of humility, charity, unity, reconciliation, forgiveness, and unconditional love—not only for the Church but for all who found in you a spiritual support. Rest in peace,” wrote Veronica Alcocer this past Monday.
Su santidad Papa Francisco, infinitas gracias por haber sido ejemplo perfecto de la humildad, la caridad, la unidad, la reconciliación, el perdón y el amor incondicional, no solo para la iglesia, sino para todos que encontraron en usted un soporte espiritual. Descanse en paz. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/xEW6EtkszG
— Verónica Alcocer García (@Veronicalcocerg) April 21, 2025
Along a very similar line, Colombia’s Foreign Minister, Laura Sarabia, also expressed gratitude for the late pope from New York, where she was preparing to participate in the United Nations Security Council session addressing the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Colombia.
“Thank you for being a symbol of hope and renewal for the Church. Thank you for looking into the eyes of the most vulnerable. Thank you for being the voice of the poor, migrants, and the most afflicted. Pope Francis taught us to see God in every detail. He leaves us a legacy of love, humility, and devotion. Rest in peace, Holy Father,” she wrote.
Gracias por ser un símbolo de esperanza y renovación para la Iglesia. Gracias por mirar a los ojos a los más vulnerables. Gracias por ser la voz de los pobres, los migrantes, los más afligidos.
El Papa Francisco nos enseñó a ver a Dios en cada detalle. Nos deja un legado de…
— Laura Sarabia (@laurisarabia) April 21, 2025
Massive wake and funeral of the Pope
The coffin with the body of Francis was exposed, since yesterday, Wednesday, in St. Peter’s Basilica, where he is being watched and visited by thousands of faithful who are crowded in St. Peter’s Square in files of different hours.
By order of the Pope himself, the coffin is on a low platform, without the traditional catafalque, and in front of the tomb of St. Peter, under the baldachin of Bernini.
This Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. (Rome time), the funeral will take place at the Holy See, after which the body will be transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where it will be buried in a chapel dedicated to the Madonna ‘Salus populi romani’, to whom the pope was deeply devoted.
After this ceremony will begin the period called “Novediales”, nine days in which nine masses will be dedicated for the soul of the deceased pope starting from the day of the burial.
After this time, the conclave for the election of Francis’ successor as head of the Catholic Church could begin on May 5.