India will observe state mourning on the 26th of this month, the day of the funeral of the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See, Pope Francis.
In a statement, Home Ministry said that the National Flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly, and there will be no official entertainment on the day.
Earlier, the government had announced three-Day State Mourning, as a mark of respect on the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis. This marks the final day of a three-day State Mourning declared by the government. Two days of mourning were previously observed on April 22 and 23 following the passing of the Pope.
Francis, who was the first non-European Pope in nearly 1,300 years, died on Monday. He was 88. In a 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, three-day state mourning shall be observed throughout India.”
As per the schedule, two days’ state mourning will be on April 22 (Tuesday) and April 23 (Wednesday). Besides, one day’s state mourning will be on the day of the funeral, the statement said.
During the period of the state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment, it added.
“On April 26, the president will attend the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, which will be attended by dignitaries from around the world,” the MEA said.