President Trump orders flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis as the world mourns
Trump was among the global figures paying tribute to Pope Francis, whose passing signaled the end of a transformative and often controversial papacy.
On April 21, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to have U.S. flags flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis, who had passed away earlier that day at the age of 88.
Trump’s decree, revealed in an executive order on Monday, came as leaders worldwide mourned the loss of the first Latin American pontiff in history.
“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States … I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds,” Trump wrote.
The directive also applies to military establishments, naval vessels, U.S. embassies, and diplomatic offices abroad, and will continue until sunset on the day of the pope’s interment, for which no dates have been announced by the Vatican.
Earlier in the day, the president posted a brief tribute on Truth Social.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away at the Vatican at 7:35 a.m. local time after battling pneumonia, which led to a 38-day hospitalization earlier in the year. His final public appearance on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square showed signs of his weakened state.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican’s camerlengo, confirmed the pope’s death and is overseeing funeral arrangements, including the destruction of Francis’s papal seal and a simplified burial ceremony consistent with reforms initiated by the pontiff before his passing. His final resting place will be in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, departing from recent traditions of interment at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The news of the pope’s passing prompted condolences from across the world. Argentine President Javier Milei, a former critic of the pope, expressed deep respect for knowing Francis through his kindness and wisdom. Buenos Aires Archbishop José García Cuerva hailed him as “the father of the poor, the father of mercy.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met with the pope on Easter Sunday, recalled a moving homily he delivered during the COVID-19 crisis.
German Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz commended Francis for his dedication to society’s most vulnerable, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised him for his compassion and efforts to foster relations with the Jewish community.
Pope Francis served for 12 years, marking historical milestones as the first Jesuit and non-European pontiff in over a millennium. His papacy centered on advocacy for the poor, environmental protection, and inclusivity towards marginalized groups like immigrants and the LGBT community.
Despite his progressive stances, Pope Francis faced criticism for certain reforms that strayed from traditional Catholic doctrines. His views on issues such as same-sex blessings, immigration policy, and capitalism drew opposition from conservative Christians, particularly in the U.S., where some labeled him a Marxist.
As the Vatican mourns the pope’s passing and prepares for his funeral, attention shifts towards the upcoming conclave, where the College of Cardinals will convene to select the next pontiff.
