Peru:Executive Branch asks Congress to approve presidential trip to Pope Francis' funeral

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

10:48 | Lima, Apr. 23.

The Executive Branch has requested authorization from Congress for President Dina Boluarte to travel to Rome, Italy, from April 24 to 28, in order to participate in the funeral honors for Pope Francis, to be held in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, on April 26.

The authorization request submitted on Tuesday to the Legislative Branch indicated that the President's participation is of utmost importance, taking into account the excellent state of relations between Peru and the Holy See, marked by a deep historical, spiritual, and cultural tradition.

"The presence of the President of the Republic at the funeral honors for the Supreme Pontiff constitutes a gesture of respect, gratitude, and closeness of the Peruvian people to the Holy See and with the pastoral and humanitarian legacy of Pope Francis," the letter stated.

It also recalled that Pope Francis maintained a close relationship with Peru, especially evidenced during his apostolic visit to Peru, from January 18 to 21, 2018, to Lima, Puerto Maldonado, and Trujillo, and in the meeting held with the Head of State in Vatican City on October 14, 2023.

In light of this, the Executive Branch requested that Congress authorize President Boluarte's temporary departure from national territory, from April 24 to 28, 2025, in accordance with Article 102 of the Political Constitution of Peru and Article 8-A of Law No. 29158, Organic Law of the Executive Branch and others.

"It should be noted that the activities of the President of the Republic would mainly include her participation in the funeral mass of Pope Francis, which will take place at St. Peter's Square at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26," the travel authorization request specified.

It added that, within the framework of current regulations, the management of the Presidential Office through digital technologies will allow the top official to attend to matters during her absence from the country, using digital technologies and digital security mechanisms.

Congress' plenary session

Congress has convened a hybrid plenary session today at 5:00 p.m. to deliberate on the President's travel authorization request.

(END) FHG/CVC/JMP/MVB

Published: 4/23/2025