MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Peru's President denied Congressional clearance to attend Francis' funeral

Unlike most countries to be represented at the highest level, Peru will send Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer

Peru's Congress voted Wednesday by 45 to 40 and one abstention against allowing President Dina Boluarte to travel to the Vatican for Pope Francis' funeral. The decision came amid a domestic insecurity crisis, with opposition lawmakers criticizing the trip as unnecessary and extravagant. Instead, Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer will represent the South American country.

“I feel ashamed at this type of request and that we have to leave our regions to debate this issue. Today we are forced to be here and waste our time in the face of a whim of the president who does not realize the crisis the country is going through,” Congressman Diego Bazán said during the parliamentary debate.

“What she is doing is an act of arrogance. I have been hurt by the departure of Pope Francis, but the president must understand the pain of the people. I hope no congressman climbs on the trip,” Congresswoman Norma Yarrow added.

The government regretted the Parliament's decision, emphasizing the importance of high-level representation. Peru declared three days of national mourning for Pope Francis, whose funeral will be held on Saturday at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

Boluarte submitted Tuesday evening a request to leave the country between April 24 and 28. “The draft legislative resolution authorizing the president's trip has not been approved,” said Congress Speaker Eduardo Salhuana.

“If the lady wants to pray for the soul of the pope, she should follow his example, be austere, go to mass every day, and not spend on superficialities,” center-left Congressman Susel Paredes argued.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén contended that Boluarte's petition was about Peru being represented at its highest level. “I regret that this was the result. I would have wanted that, like dozens of heads of state who are going, we could have representation at the highest level,” he said. Adrianzén insisted that Boluarte's plan was far from just “a simple protocol activity,” and in no way “a pleasure trip.”

Francis' burial at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome will be the first of a pontiff outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903.