Saturday declared day of national mourning for Pope Francis's funeral
On the day of the late Pope’s funeral all government activities will be cancelled, and public buildings will fly flags at half-mast throughout the day • Football matches postponed
22 April 2025, 5:57pm
Matthew Farrugia
Matthew Farrugia
1 min read
Flags on all public buildings will fly at half mast on Saturday
The government has declared Saturday a national day of mourning for Pope Francis's funeral that will be held at the Vatican.
On Saturday, all government activities will be cancelled, and public buildings will fly flags at half-mast throughout the day.
On Tuesday, the Vatican announced that preparations are underway so that mourners can pay their respects from Wednesday morning. Pope Francis will be buried "without particular decoration" as was his final wish, as the funeral ceremony will be held at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome rather than the traditional site of St Peter’s Basilica.
Meanwhile, the Malta Premier League also announced that its football matches on Saturday will be postponed to Sunday.
Pope Francis, 88, passed away following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, on Easter Monday.
His body is currently at the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy.
On Wednesday, his coffin will be moved to St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing ahead of the funeral.
READ ALSO | The Pope has died. What happens now?
Matthew Farrugia is a staff reporter at MaltaToday
