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Pope Francis Death: Italy, Argentina 25 other Countries Declared National Mourning (Full List)
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The world stood still on April 21, 2025, as the Vatican officially confirmed the death of Pope Francis, aged 88. His passing marked the end of a historic papacy and triggered an outpouring of grief across continents. Numerous nations, especially those with significant Catholic populations, declared national mourning periods to honor the pontiff’s life, spiritual leadership, and global influence.
From Latin America to Europe, Asia, and Africa, countries initiated solemn observances, lowered national flags to half-mast, and held public commemorations. This article highlights the full list of countries that declared national mourning in memory of Pope Francis.
Why Pope Francis’s Death Resonated Globally
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Since his election in 2013, he championed issues such as poverty alleviation, climate action, interfaith dialogue, and social justice, making him a spiritual leader not just for Catholics, but for people of all faiths.
His legacy transcended religious boundaries, prompting state-led tributes even in non-Catholic majority nations.
List of Countries That Declared National Mourning for Pope Francis
Below is a country-by-country breakdown of declared national mourning periods:
| Country | Mourning Period | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 7 days (Apr 22–28) | Pope Francis’s homeland; nationwide memorial services held. |
| Brazil | 7 days | Churches and public buildings observed solemn tributes. |
| East Timor | 7 days | Predominantly Catholic nation with extensive observances. |
| Italy | 5 days (Apr 21–26) | Vatican’s host country; held massive state ceremonies. |
| Costa Rica | 4 days | Flags at half-mast; public prayers offered. |
| Spain | 3 days | Public processions and masses conducted. |
| India | 3 days | Interfaith tributes and official condolences shared. |
| Philippines | 3 days | Nation-wide tributes; churches filled with mourners. |
| Poland | 3 days | Mourning coincided with the Pope’s funeral. |
| Portugal | 3 days | Official services in Lisbon and major cities. |
| Lebanon | 3 days | Christian and Muslim leaders offered joint prayers. |
| Venezuela | 3 days | Government-organized memorials. |
| Chile | 3 days | National flags at half-mast; televised funeral services. |
| Cuba | 3 days | Nationwide mourning with Catholic mass ceremonies. |
| Guatemala | 3 days | Memorial services across Catholic institutions. |
| Panama | 3 days | Official decree and observances. |
| Dominican Republic | 3 days | Nationwide religious services held. |
| Paraguay | 3 days | Church bells rang across the country in honor. |
| Peru | 3 days | Large public gatherings held for prayers. |
| Ecuador | 3 days | Tributes from religious and government figures. |
| Puerto Rico | 3 days | Government-declared mourning period observed. |
| Malta | 1 day (Apr 26) | Marked during the Pope’s funeral. |
| Croatia | 1 day | Flags lowered; public messages of condolence shared. |
| Hungary | 1 day | National mourning aligned with funeral rites. |
| Uruguay | 1 day | Ceremonies held in Catholic schools and churches. |
| Cape Verde | 1 day | Special services held across Catholic communities. |
Global Religious and Political Reactions
World leaders, religious figures, and citizens across continents expressed grief and paid glowing tributes to Pope Francis’s legacy. The United Nations, European Union, and African Union all issued statements acknowledging his contributions to world peace, interreligious harmony, and humanitarian service.
In cities like Manila, Rome, Buenos Aires, and Lagos, candlelight vigils were held. Cathedrals rang their bells in synchronized tribute, while mosques and temples also joined in interfaith memorial services.
Pope Francis’s death has left a void in the global religious and moral conscience. His efforts to promote compassion, inclusiveness, and humility in leadership will continue to inspire generations to come.
While the Vatican prepares for a papal conclave to elect a successor, the world continues to reflect on the lessons and legacy of a pope who bridged faith and humanity in unprecedented ways.
The widespread declaration of national mourning in countries around the world highlights just how impactful Pope Francis was—not only to Catholics but to people of all beliefs. His death marks the end of a deeply influential era in the Church’s history.
May his soul rest in peace.
An Ecuadorian court has sentenced former President Lenin Moreno to five years in prison for accepting bribes linked to the construction of the country’s largest hydroelectric dam.
Moreno, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, was among 20 people convicted over corruption allegations surrounding the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric project, which was built by Chinese company Sinohydro.
Prosecutors alleged that Sinohydro paid about $76 million in bribes, representing roughly four per cent of the project’s total cost.
Moreno, 73, denied the allegations and maintained that he never received money from the Chinese company.
Speaking after Friday’s ruling, the former president said he had never received “a single cent” from Sinohydro.
He also blamed the case on the administration of his former political ally and predecessor, Rafael Correa, whom he accused of seeking revenge after their political relationship deteriorated.
Moreno served as Correa’s vice-president between 2007 and 2013 before succeeding him as president. The two later fell out after Moreno moved away from Correa’s socialist policies and developed closer ties with the United States.
The court also sentenced Moreno’s wife and other relatives to nearly three years in prison for complicity in the corruption case.
Two former managers of the Coca Codo Sinclair power plant were also among those convicted.
Prosecutors had initially requested a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Moreno.
The former president has announced plans to appeal the judgment.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for official US federal use, in the latest escalation of his dispute with Canada.
Trump signed the order on Thursday at the White House, saying the change was effective immediately. The order directs the US Department of the Interior to update federal geographic records and naming systems.
Trump justified the move by accusing Canada of treating the United States unfairly in trade and defence. He said Canada had been “ripping us off” in trade and criticised Ottawa over its relationship with Washington.
However, the order does not require Canada or international organisations to adopt the new name. Lake Ontario is shared by the US state of New York and Canada’s province of Ontario, with more than half of its surface area lying in Canadian territory.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford dismissed the move, saying the lake would continue to be known as Lake Ontario by Canadians and much of the rest of the world.
The renaming comes amid a rapidly worsening US-Canada trade dispute. Washington recently imposed 50 per cent tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, while Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs of its own on hundreds of US products.
The latest move echoes Trump’s decision in January 2025 to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for US federal purposes.
Trump also suggested that further geographic name changes could be considered, joking that after a gulf and a lake, the United States might eventually rename the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government had not immediately issued a formal response to the latest order.
The controversy has added another symbolic dimension to already strained relations between the two neighbouring countries, as both sides continue to impose tariffs and seek to protect their economies.
The United States Secret Service has confirmed that it is aware of a video broadcast by Iranian state media that appears to threaten the life of Barron Trump, the youngest son of US President Donald Trump.
The nearly three-minute video, aired by the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), opens with an English-language graphic asking: “Where to kill Barron Trump?!” It then displays stylised graphics identifying places where Barron is publicly known to spend time, including Trump Tower in New York.
The video ends with a narrator referring to people being “eagerly waiting to receive our $10 million reward.”
Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring confirmed that the agency was investigating the video as a potential threat against one of its protectees.
“The US Secret Service is aware of the video and investigates anything that can be perceived as a threat toward our protectees,” Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring told CNN in a statement. “Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence.”
The apparent targeting of Barron marks a new development in a broader pattern of threats directed at Trump and members of his family by hard-line Iranian media.
Iranian media outlets have previously published material threatening President Trump and his family, while first lady Melania Trump has also been the subject of threats. However, the video appears to be the first public instance in which Barron has been specifically singled out.
A federal law enforcement source told CNN that the video forms part of a wider campaign of material from Iran targeting Trump and his family. According to the source, some of the videos have included details about movements and suggestions for killing members of the president’s family.
The security response to such threats involves continuously changing and adjusting protective arrangements, based on information gathered by the Secret Service, other US agencies, police authorities and foreign governments.
IRIB, which broadcast the video, is regarded as aligned with hard-liners within Iran’s regime, while its head is directly appointed by Iran’s supreme leader.
Trump has previously spoken publicly about threats against his life from Iran.
“I’m on whatever list… so far, I guess I’ve been a bit lucky, but maybe that doesn’t last very long. These are evil, sick people.”
He made the comments in July at the NATO summit in Turkey, before secretly leaving the country aboard an alternate military aircraft.
The departure was part of an elaborate security operation reportedly triggered by an Iranian threat. Trump boarded the aircraft while concealed inside a catering truck after officials determined that travelling on either version of Air Force One could expose him to an unacceptable level of danger.
A person familiar with the matter told CNN that the threat involved a shoulder-fired missile and was considered specific enough for officials to fear that Trump’s life would be at enormous risk if he travelled on either version of Air Force One.
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