Iowa Flags To Be Flown At Half-Staff Following Pope Francis’ Death

You'll notice flags in Iowa looking a bit different this week.

A release from Governor Kim Reynolds declares that flags in Iowa will be flown at half-staff in remembrance of His Holiness, Pope Francis.

Pope Francis passed away from irreversible heart failure, according to a death certificate from the Vatican.

The declaration from Governor Reynolds says that flags will stay at half-staff until the day of the pope's interment. It follows President Trump's declaration that the United States flag should be lowered for the same amount of time.

In papal tradition, a pope's funeral is usually 4-6 days after he passes away. According to the Vatican, Pope Francis is to be placed in his coffin Monday night. He will lie in state in St. Peter's Basilica for 3 days before his funeral.

The funeral is a 2 and a half hour service (that's mostly in Latin) that will end with his coffin being smoldered closed and lowered into the crypt, marking the late pope's interment.

Gov. Reynolds said in the release:

Pope Francis devoted his life to serving Christ, leading the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members. As it is written in Matthew, he was a good and faithful servant and has entered into the joy of the Lord. Kevin and I offer our condolences to Catholics in Iowa and worldwide.

Iowa's capitol building and Capitol Complex will fly their flags at half-staff. Schools, businesses, individuals, counties, and government subdivisions in Iowa are encouraged to also fly flags at half-staff in remembrance of the late Pope Francis.