Three-day mourning in India on passing of Pope Francis; national flag to fly half-mast

VATICAN CITY: India will observe a three-day of mourning as a mark of respect on the death of Pope Francis. Two days will be observed on April 22 and 23 and the third on Pope’s funeral day. 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.

The Pope, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, was 88. He passed away at 11.05 am Indian time (7.35 am local time) yesterday at his official residence, Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican. He had been battling a serious bout of pneumonia and was recovering after a month-long hospital stay. The Vatican announced that the cause of death was a heart attack and a stroke.

Meanwhile, the Vatican released the Pope's death certificate. The Pope had expressed his wish that his body be buried in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome instead of St Peter's Basilica. There should be no special decorations in the tomb. The Pope's obituary also states that it would be sufficient to write ‘Francis’ in Latin.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Pope Francis was a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across he world. He is deeply saddened by his demise. He added that at this time of pain and remembrance, he conveys his heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community.