Sikkim announces three-day State mourning in honour of Pope Francis

GANGTOK, : The Sikkim government has announced three days State mourning as a mark of respect to the passing away of Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See.

Pope Francis had passed away on Easter Monday at an age of 88 years.

The State government announces with profound sorrow the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See, states a Home department notification issued by chief secretary R Telang.

As a mark of respect to the departed soul, three days State mourning will be observed throughout the State.

Two days State mourning will be observed on April 22 and April 23. One day State mourning is to be observed on the day of the funeral, which will be intimated at a later date.

During the period of mourning, the National flag will be flown at half-mast wherever it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on these days, the notification states.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay has expressed his deep sadness on the passing of Pope Francis.

In a social media post on Monday, the Chief Minister stated that Pope Francis’ profound wisdom,compassion, and relentless pursuit of peace and unity touched countless lives across the globe.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Catholic community and to all those who found solace and inspiration in his words and actions. May his legacy continue to inspire love, faith, and humanity in the hearts of people everywhere. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” said the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the Central government has already announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the passing of Pope Francis. Two days mourning will be observed on April 22 and 23, and the third on the pontiff's funeral day.

During the period of the state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment, it added.

According to news reports, Pope Francis would be buried at Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Vatican City on Saturday.

Pope Francis' body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica until his funeral - scheduled for 10 am Saturday morning - the Holy See's Press Office announced on Tuesday.

The coffin with the deceased Roman Pontiff Francis will be carried from the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter, in accordance with the provisions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, on Wednesday morning.

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church had been suffering from respiratory ailments and pneumonia.