Published on April 21, 2025
This presidential proclamation orders the lowering of U.S. flags to half-staff at all federal buildings, military installations, and diplomatic facilities worldwide in honor of a deceased Pope Francis. The order would remain in effect until sunset on the day of the Pope's interment, demonstrating a formal gesture of national mourning and diplomatic respect.
The timing and nature of this proclamation could be interpreted as an attempt to leverage religious sentiment for political purposes, particularly given the significant Catholic voting population in the United States. The broad scope of the order, extending to all U.S. territories and facilities worldwide, could be seen as an attempt to project American influence over a primarily religious matter, potentially overstepping traditional boundaries between church and state.
While the proclamation appears to be a standard diplomatic protocol honoring the death of a major world religious leader, its expansive implementation and timing suggest potential political motivations aimed at domestic and international audience management. The gesture, while ceremonially appropriate, merits consideration within broader contexts of religious influence in American politics and international relations.
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation 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. DONALD J. TRUMP