President Donald Trump recalled Pope Francis on Monday’s Easter Egg Roll in the White House.
Trump spoke briefly before taking part in the festivities between First Lady Melania Trump and the Easter Bunny, saying he was honored to remind him of the late Pope and sign an order to fly the flag at half price across the country.
“I have just signed an executive order to place flags of our nation, everything, all federal and state flags on the half-mast in honour of Pope Francis.
Trump also paid tribute to Pope Francis and expressed his sadness to those who loved him early in the morning.
“Pope Francis rests in peace! May God bless him and all who loved him!” the president wrote in the Truth Social Post.
The Vatican announced earlier Monday that he had passed at the age of 88 at Casa Santa Malta, Vatican. He has been ill for the past few months and was hospitalized with double pneumonia for five weeks from February to March.
On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis met with Vice President J.D. Vance and surprised St. Peters Square for his blessing.
Vance expressed his sadness to Christians around the world on Monday morning.
“I just learned that Pope Francis has passed away. My heart is directed at millions of Christians around the world who love him,” Vance wrote in a post on X.
“He was obviously very ill, but I was happy to see him yesterday, but I always remember him for him. Below He gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really, very beautiful,” he added. “May God rest his soul.”
