(The Hill) — President Donald Trump on Monday directed all federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in commemoration of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 earlier that morning.
The president said he signed an executive order to put the flags at half-staff just before exiting the White House for the traditional Easter egg roll.
“He was a good man, he worked hard, he loved the world. And it’s an honor to do that,” Trump said, flanked by first lady Melania Trump and the White House Easter bunny.
Francis died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta after a long series of health complications stemming from a chronic lung disease.
The president marked his death in a social media statement on Monday, sharing, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
According to Trump's order, flags are to fly at half-staff until the day of Francis' interment. As of Monday, it's unclear when that is, but burial must take place between the fourth and sixth day after Francis' death, per the Associated Press.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said there are no immediate plans for Trump to attend the pope’s funeral.
“Doesn’t mean it’s not happening, I just don’t have anything to share,” Leavitt said. “We’re praying for the millions of Christians around the world who love the pope and admired him this morning.”
The day before Francis’ death, Vice President JD Vance met with him while traveling to the Vatican. He said in a message about the Easter Sunday meeting that the pontiff was “obviously very ill” but that he was happy to have met with him.
Francis had famously taken issue with Republicans’ handling of immigration, voicing the view of the Catholic Church that migrants should be welcomed and treated with dignity. He wrote a letter in February criticizing Trump’s mass deportation plans, arguing they leave people vulnerable and defenseless, and called for laws to help the most marginalized.
He had also weighed in on the 2024 election, calling on American Catholics to choose the “lesser evil” of the candidates between Trump and former Vice President Harris.