Spain declares 3-day mourning for the Pope

The Spanish government has declared a three-day mourning period from Tuesday at 00:01 to Thursday at midnight to honour Pope Francis, who passed away this Monday.

La Moncloa released an official statement hours after news of Pope Francis’ death, who they described as “a good man and a great pope. His humanist, supportive, and reforming legacy will live on forever.”

The government’s head of relations with the Church, Felix Bolaños, highlighted the pontiff’s efforts to combat inequality, injustice, and climate change, as well as his concern for all those living in vulnerable conditions. Bolaños spoke of the pope’s advocacy for peace: “Pope Francis always supported dialogue as a path to solve human rights issues and conflict. He expressed genuine concern for migrants, victims of trafficking, and those affected by war, including in Ukraine and Palestine.”

The statement said that “Bolaños emphasized that during their meetings, he was able to confirm his closeness, sympathy, and affection for Spain.” “We regret the death of a great man and pope,” Bolaños reiterated. 

The meaning of the mourning declaration

The official mourning declaration in Spain is to honour the memory of prominent global figures or those who have passed away tragically due to natural disasters, pandemics, or armed conflicts. An example is when the State declared mourning for the memory of the 219 Dana storm victims.

In Spain, the Council of Ministers is responsible for declaring national mourning, which is typically backed or approved by the Royal Family. The decree serves to regulate the behaviour of public officials during the mourning period. 

All celebrations and official events that include festivities are prohibited, which means that if they’ve already been scheduled, they must be cancelled. All institutions and public offices must place all flags at half-mast.

Also in Spain, during mourning periods, all news outlets typically adjust their programming to include more time for the coverage of events related to the mourning and the person or persons being honoured.

To summarise, the official mourning for the Pope’s death in Spain is an act of respect and homage to him as the Catholic Church’s most influential figure, and a tribute to his influence in Spain and worldwide.