Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced that Saturday April 26 will be a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, saying that this is a „decision that shows deep respect for the total openness and warmth permanently shown to Romanians.”

„We approve a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, on Saturday, April 26, on the very day of the funeral at the Vatican. It is a decision that shows the deep respect for his total openness and warmth permanently shown to Romanians. Like any Christian, I felt that his presence was a blessing for all humanity,” the prime minister said at the beginning of a government meeting on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Ciolacu wrote a message in a condolence book opened at the Apostolic Nunciature to Romania in memory of Pope Francis. He announced that he will attend the pope’s funeral.

The funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88, will take place on Saturday morning in St. Peter’s Square, where hundreds of thousands of believers are expected.

AGERPRES