The passing of Pope Francis on Monday prompted an outpouring of condolences from world leaders, with U.S. President Donald Trump among the first to respond to the news.
“Rest in peace Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after the announcement.
In a gesture of national respect, Trump also ordered all American flags to be flown at half-staff across the country and at U.S. government sites worldwide. “As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis,” the official proclamation read, “I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds… until sunset on the day of interment.”
The directive extends to all U.S. military and naval installations, embassies, and consular posts both at home and abroad.
Vice President JD Vance, who had met with the pope just one day earlier on Easter Sunday, also shared a heartfelt tribute.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him,” Vance wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the beautiful homily he gave in the early days of COVID.”
The White House X account echoed the sentiment with a simple post: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”
The pope’s death marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church, with tributes continuing to pour in from global leaders, religious communities, and millions of faithful worldwide. Pope Francis, known for his humility and advocacy for the marginalized, leaves behind a profound legacy that has touched hearts far beyond the walls of the Vatican.