New Delhi, April 21, 2025 — The Government of India on Monday announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect following the passing of Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He died earlier in the day at the age of 88.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See, passed away on April 21. As a mark of respect, a three-day state mourning shall be observed throughout India.”
During the period of mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings across the country where it is regularly displayed, and there will be no official entertainment, the statement added.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years and served as a spiritual leader to more than a billion Catholics worldwide.
According to the Ministry, the mourning period will be observed on April 22 (Tuesday) and April 23 (Wednesday), with the third day to coincide with the day of the Pope’s funeral.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several regional leaders expressed their condolences, acknowledging Pope Francis’s contributions to peace, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian causes.
