New Delhi [India]: India will observe state mourning on April 26 as a mark of respect for His Holiness Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday.
The announcement was made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday, stating that the National Flag will be flown at half-mast across all government buildings where it is normally flown, and no official entertainment will be held on that day.
This comes in addition to the three-day state mourning that was earlier declared by the Government of India. Mourning days were observed on April 22 and April 23, and the third and final day will coincide with the Pope’s funeral on April 26.
Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church since March 13, 2013, was the first Latin American Pope and a pivotal figure on the global religious and humanitarian stage. His passing followed a prolonged illness, including a severe bout of double pneumonia.
Just a day before his death, Pope Francis made a surprise public appearance on Easter Sunday, addressing a crowd of over 35,000 people in St. Peter’s Square—a gesture that now holds added poignancy.
The Vatican has released images of the late Pope in repose, lying in an open coffin at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, dressed in a red papal robe, mitre, and holding a rosary.
The funeral service will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Following the final commendation, Pope Francis’s body will be taken to St. Mary Major for burial.