Information has been released regarding the funeral ceremonies for Francisco Pinto Balsemão, the former Prime Minister who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88. Notably, a national mourning period has been declared by the government for today and Thursday.
“The wake will be held today, Wednesday, at 6:30 PM, at the Jerónimos Monastery. The mass will take place tomorrow at 1:00 PM, also at the Jerónimos Monastery,” according to a statement sent to newsrooms.
The mass will be officiated by the Emeritus Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, D. Manuel Clemente.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, “signed the government decree establishing national mourning for October 22 and 23” – today and Thursday, “in memory of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.”
The President of the Republic has promulgated a two-day national mourning, in effect today and Thursday, decreed by the government following the death of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.
Francisco Pinto Balsemão, a former prime minister and businessman, passed away early Tuesday evening, October 21.
A statement explained that Pinto Balsemão died “of natural causes,” with his “final moments” being attended by family members.
“A major figure in the defense of freedom, an unwavering advocate of press and expression freedom, he shaped the country’s history in recent decades. In 1973, he launched Portugal’s most important newspaper, Expresso, and in 1992, the first private television channel in Portugal, SIC, among many other editorial projects,” the note stated.
Francisco Pinto Balsemão died on the evening of Tuesday, October 21, at the age of 88. He was a remarkable figure in both politics and media. “A founder of democracy,” “one of the most prominent personalities of the last sixty years,” as noted by the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic. “Portugal will never forget him.”
