Trump orders flags at half-staff as a mark of respect to the Pope

(Gray News) – President Donald Trump responded to the death of Pope Francis by ordering the United States flag be flown at half-staff.

Trump made the order Monday morning on Truth Social.

“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,” the President wrote.

“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.”

Flags also lowered in Italy

Flags flew at half-staff in overwhelmingly Roman Catholic Italy. The faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, where bells tolled.

Eva Bonnano, from Philadelphia, called it “a very sad day. It is honestly impressive, I think, that he made it to Easter, I think that is almost like a miracle for Italy.”

Johann Xavier said he had traveled from Australia, hoping to see the pope. “But then we heard about it when we came in here. It pretty much devastated all of us.”

Francis died early Monday morning.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who takes charge after a pontiff’s death.

Francis suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.

He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter morning blessing and a popemobile tour through a crowd of cheering thousands in St. Peter’s Square.

No date for the funeral has been announced.

Copyright 2025 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.