The President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, will attend the funeral of Pope Francis this Saturday in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. The Funeral Mass will be followed by the burial of the Holy Father in the atrium of the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

In a statement, the Presidency of the Republic said that the Mass also marks the beginning of Novendiali, the traditional nine-day novenary of mourning and prayers in honor of the deceased Pontiff.

"President Chapo's participation in the funeral of Pope Francis reflects the deep respect and solidarity of the Mozambican people with the Catholic Church and the international community, at this moment of grief and homage to the life and legacy of the Holy Father," the document reads.

The Head of State will be accompanied by the First Lady of the Republic, Gueta Chapo, and the Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, Mateus Saize.