President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff as a tribute to Pope Francis, who died yesterday at age 88. The move marks a gesture of respect amid a complex history between the two leaders.

The proclamation, signed during the White House Easter Egg Roll, directed flags at federal buildings, military posts, and U.S. embassies to remain lowered until sunset on the day of the pontiff’s interment.

“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Trump stated, praising the pope as a “good man” who “loved the world.”

Pope Francis, who passed away in Vatican City after a stroke and heart failure following a battle with pneumonia, was a towering figure known for his humility and advocacy for the pro-life position.

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His death prompted global mourning, with leaders and cities, including New York and London, also lowering flags in his honor. Trump’s order followed a Sunday meeting between Vice President JD Vance and the ailing pontiff, and the president announced he and First Lady Melania Trump would attend the funeral in Rome, though no date has been set.

The move underscored a moment of unity, with Trump expressing condolences on Truth Social, writing, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Vatican announced.

The Argentine pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, led the church for over 12 years, and always strongly condemned the killing of babies in abortions. Pope Francis in his will said he wants to be buried in a modest underground tomb at St. Mary Major Basilica.

His death, attributed to natural causes, was confirmed by Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. World leaders expressed condolences, praising Pope Francis’ compassion and global influence. Funeral arrangements are pending, with a traditional nine-day mourning period expected to begin shortly.

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Pope Francis likened abortion to “hiring a hitman” to kill unborn babies.

“Is it right to hire a hitman to solve a problem? You cannot, it is not right to kill a human being, regardless of how small it is, to solve a problem. It is like hiring a hitman to solve a problem,” the pope said.

In the past, Pope Francis often has condemned abortion, describing aborted babies as victims of a “throwaway culture.”

Earlier this month, Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being discharged from a Rome hospital, that lifted the spirits of Catholics there to greet him. greeting crowds in St. Peter’s Square.

Francis was hospitalized for five weeks at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, beginning February 14, battling a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia. His medical team reported that he faced two critical episodes during which his life was at risk. Discharged on March 23, the pope had been expected to convalesce at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, with doctors prescribing at least two months of rest.

Pope Francis has consistently condemned abortion as the head of the Catholic Church.

In March, he conveyed a heartfelt message to participants of a pilgrimage organized by the Italian Movement for Life.

In his address, read by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin during a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, he said that unborn children are like so many other people who need advocates. The Pope identified the unborn child as the epitome of voiceless individuals, representing all who lack a platform to defend their rights.

“The unborn child represents, in the fullest sense, every man and woman who does not count, who has no voice,” he said. “Taking their side means standing in solidarity with all the discarded of the world.”

Pope Francis called on Christians to foster a “civilization of love,” which frees women “from the pressures that push them not to give birth to their child”.

He said it takes a “gaze of the heart” to recognize unborn children as “one of us.”

He called for a cultural shift that recognizes and upholds the dignity of every human person, especially the most vulnerable.

He called upon Christians and society at large to advocate fervently for these innocent lives, ensuring they receive the protection and care they inherently deserve.

The process to select a new pope, known as a papal conclave, will commence within 15 to 20 days, per Vatican protocol. During this period, the College of Cardinals, the church’s most senior clerics, will gather in Rome to prepare. The conclave is a secretive, sacred ritual governed by centuries-old traditions outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. Only cardinals under 80 are eligible to vote, with approximately 120 expected to participate. The cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel, isolated from the outside world, to cast ballots until a new pope is chosen.

Upon Pope Francis’ death, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, assumes temporary administration of the Vatican. The Camerlengo verifies the pope’s death, seals his private apartments, and organizes the conclave.

The conclave begins with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the cardinals’ procession into the Sistine Chapel. Voters swear an oath of secrecy before casting ballots, with each round requiring a two-thirds majority to elect a pope. Ballots are burned after each vote, producing black smoke if no candidate secures the necessary votes or white smoke to signal a successful election. The process typically lasts two to three days but can extend longer. The last conclave, in 2013, elected Pope Francis after two days and five ballots.

Eligible candidates, though not required to be cardinals, are usually prominent figures within the church. Speculation surrounds potential successors, including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, known for his pastoral approach, and Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary, a canon law expert.

Regional diversity may influence the choice, with some advocating for an African or Asian pope to reflect the church’s growing membership in those regions. The new pope must address challenges such as declining vocations, secularism, and ongoing reforms initiated by Francis.

Once elected, the new pope is asked, “Do you accept your canonical election?” Upon acceptance, he chooses a papal name and dons vestments. The Dean of the College of Cardinals announces “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, introducing the new pontiff to the world. The pope delivers his first blessing, Urbi et Orbi, to the city and the world. The election concludes a period of transition, ushering in a new era for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

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