New Delhi, April 22: India will observe three days of state mourning following the death of Pope Francis, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Monday. The pontiff, who made history as the first non-European Pope in nearly 13 centuries, died on April 21 at the age of 88.
In an official statement, the ministry noted, “His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See, passed away on April 21. As a mark of respect, three-day state mourning shall be observed throughout India.”
According to the directive, the national flag will be flown at half-staff across all government buildings where it is regularly displayed. No official entertainment will take place during the mourning period.
Two of the three mourning days—April 22 and 23—will be observed immediately, while the third will coincide with the day of the Pope’s funeral, the statement added.
The Vatican is expected to announce the date and arrangements for the funeral soon. Pope Francis, known globally for his outreach to marginalized communities and his emphasis on compassion over doctrine, served as a spiritual leader to over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
His death marks the end of a papacy that broke conventions and expanded the moral conversation of the Church.
