Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has declared a three-day national mourning period following the passing of Pope Francis, the revered global leader of the Christian faith.
The mourning will be observed on April 22, April 23, and the day of the late pontiff’s final rites, as announced by the Union Home Ministry.
In line with the central directive, the Odisha government’s Home Department issued a notification today, outlining the protocols for honouring Pope Francis during this period.
The national flag at all government offices across the state has been ordered to be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period. Additionally, all government-organized entertainment programs have been suspended to respect the solemnity of the occasion.
G Jagadish Kumar, Joint Secretary of the Home Department, communicated the mourning guidelines to all heads of government offices and departments in Odisha, urging strict adherence to the directives.
The decision reflects India’s tradition of paying tribute to global figures of significant spiritual and cultural influence, underscoring the nation’s respect for Pope Francis’s legacy of compassion and unity.
