Skopje, 27 April 2025 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova attended the funeral mass of Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday.

Religious services took place in front of about 200,000 mourners, religious leaders, royals, heads of state and government , the President's Office said in a press release.

Expressing sincere condolences over his death, President Siljanovska Davkova highlighted his impressive and inspiring personality, as well as his enormous influence as a pacemaker, humanist, herald of the people, champion of interreligious dialogue and reconciliation.

Unlike his predecessors, who were buried in the crypt at the St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis was laid to rest in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, upon his request. Back in 2015, a plate in Macedonian language honoring Ss. Cyril and Methodius was placed in the basilica.

Last year, the President had an audience with the Pope, which she assessed as an unforgettable event due to his wisdom on key global issues, but also his respect for the ages-long tradition of tolerance and diversity in North Macedonia, as well as the importance of religion in the development of societal harmony.

Pope Francis was also the first Pope of the Roman-Catholic Church to visit the country in May 2019.

Photo: President's Office