“I will sign the national mourning decree now, I am awaiting the government’s document, and it will likely be from the 24th to the 26th, which is the day of the funeral,” stated Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to journalists outside the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon, where he signed the book of condolences for the Pope’s death.
The head of state noted that this national mourning period includes April 25th, a holiday marking Portugal’s Freedom Day. He added, “The idea of the Assembly of the Republic is to maintain the session, beginning with a vote of condolence for the death of Pope Francis.”
