U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation ordering all American flags to be flown at half-staff as a sign of respect for the late Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The directive calls for flags to be lowered across “all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions.” The order will remain in effect until sunset on the day of the Pope’s interment.
The proclamation also extends the half-staff honor to U.S. embassies, consulates, and other American facilities abroad, including all military outposts and naval stations.
On Monday morning, as the White House Easter Egg Roll festivities were underway on the South Lawn, the American flag atop the executive mansion was seen flying at half-staff.
Full Proclamation Text:
“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 by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, 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, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment.
“I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
