Prince William and King Charles lower Union flags at royal homes following Pope Francis’s death
The Royal Family has responded to the death of Pope Francis with traditional marks of respect. Union flags are being flown at half-mast at royal residences today.
The Guard Change ceremony will feature sombre music as a sign of mourning for the pontiff, who died at the age of 88.
GB News’ Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker confirmed: “Union flags are being lowered to half mast above Royal Residences following the death of Pope Francis.”
He added: “Sombre music will be played at today’s Guard Change, and it is likely a member of the Royal Family will attend the funeral.”
Prince William and King Charles lower Union flags at royal homes following Pope’s death
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A nine-day mourning period is set to begin in honour of Pope Francis, with his funeral expected to take place in four to six days.
The pontiff’s body will lie in state in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City before the funeral.
King Charles issued a personal statement following the Pope’s death, expressing deep sadness.
“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis,” the King said.
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88GETTY
He noted that the Pope would be remembered for “his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith”.
The King particularly highlighted the Pope’s environmental advocacy, saying: “His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.”
Charles also reflected on his personal connection with the pontiff: “The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.”
Pope Francis spent over five weeks in hospital battling a life-threatening bout of pneumoniaPA
A senior member of the Royal Family is expected to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in the coming days. This follows the precedent set when then-Prince Charles represented the late Queen at Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005.
The Prince of Wales recently undertook a similar high-profile diplomatic role when he travelled to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. During that visit, Prince William met with US President Donald Trump as a senior representative of the Royal Family.
Italy is expected to declare a period of national mourning following the Pope’s death.
The funeral arrangements are currently being prepared, with the service likely to draw world leaders and royal representatives from across the globe.
Pope delivering his last message on Easter Sunday
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Following the funeral, attention will turn to selecting a new pope through the conclave process.
Two to three weeks after Pope Francis is laid to rest, the College of Cardinals will gather to elect his successor. The cardinals will be locked inside the Sistine Chapel where they will vote in secret.
Voting takes place four times daily until a candidate receives the required two-thirds majority.
The world will watch for the traditional signal of white smoke released through a chimney, indicating a new pope has been chosen.
