Shortly after meeting with Vice President JD Vance, Pope Francis passed away from pneumonia complications at 88. In response, both Vance and President Trump issued statements expressing their sorrow and directing the government to declare an official mourning period.
For context, Francis had often clashed with the Trump administration, mostly over immigration issues. Speaking about Trump’s mass deportations, he said, “If this is true, it would be a disgrace, because it would make poor wretches, who have nothing, pay the price of the world’s inequality. That’s not right; this is not how you solve things.”
Taking to X on April 21, 2025, Vice President JD Vance issued a statement. He said, “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.”I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
Responding to news of the Pope’s sudden passing, President Donald Trump ordered that all flags be flown at half mast. He proclaimed, “As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, 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, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment.”
Expanding the scope of the order, Trump said that overseas facilities would also lower their flags as a sign of respect. He added, “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
As we reported, the Pope was not as gracious to the Trump administration as they were to him. When Trump was inaugurated, the pontiff rebuked him. He said, “Inspired by your nation’s ideals of being a land of opportunity and welcome for all, it is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination, or exclusion.”
Emphasizing the wars raging across the globe, “At the same time, as our human family faces numerous challenges, not to mention the scourge of war, I also ask God to guide your efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation among peoples.”
Concluding his remarks, Pope Francis said, “To make peace, you sometimes have to lose something, but you earn more with peace. There needs to be bravery to have peace!” He added, “We must favor international negotiations that can help us avoid war, because war is always a defeat; don’t forget it, whether we like it or not.”