Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan has directed all government offices in the capital city to fly the Philippine flag at half-mast from April 24 to April 26, 2025, in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s proclamation of a "Period of National Mourning" following the death of Pope Francis.
Mayor Lacuna-Pangan also announced that a special flag ceremony will be held at the Manila City Hall on Saturday, April 26.
The Philippine flag will be ceremonially raised at half-mast in the morning and lowered again at sunset to honor the late pontiff.
“As President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos attend the funeral rites in the Vatican, Manila joins them—and our Filipino cardinals—in fervent prayer,” said Lacuna-Pangan.
“We pray for our beloved Pope Francis, who followed the will of God. Until just before the end, he called for peace in Gaza. He was still with us on Easter Sunday,” she added.
She recalled the deep connection Pope Francis formed with Filipinos, especially during his papal visit to the Philippines in 2015.
“We in Manila will forever cherish our memories of his papal visit, including his audience with the youth at my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas,” she said. “May God grant the world a new pope who will carry the Catholic Church, Christianity, and the world forward in faith, hope, and love—as Pope Francis has done.”
Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21 at the age of 88 due to complications from a stroke and heart failure, following a recent bout of bilateral pneumonia.
His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Vatican time.
The rites will be held in St. Peter’s Square, beneath the shadow of the historic basilica.