Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has ordered flags in the state of Nevada to half-staff in honor of Pope Francis. Francis’ passing was announced Monday morning. The Vatican says the 88-year-old died due to a stroke. Lombardo says the directive comes on orders of President Trump. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of internment.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation ordering that “the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations” until the day of the Pope’s burial.
Trump announced the procolation flanked by the Easter Bunny and First Lady Melania Trump ahead of the White House’s Easter Egg Roll event on Monday:
From Donald Trump Truth Social 04/21/25 12:27 PM pic.twitter.com/FVlKKZNY15
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 21, 2025
Trump shared on social media:
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!”
In a brief statement, the President also wrote:
“May God bless him and all who loved him!”
The funeral will take place on Saturday at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
His Final Days
The Pope had battled multiple health issues in recent years. In February, he was hospitalized for five weeks with double pneumonia, a severe lung infection affecting both lungs. Despite his health struggles, Francis made a public appearance on Easter Sunday – just one day before his death – to give his blessing to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Before his final public blessing, Pope Francis met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican on Easter Sunday.
Today I met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. I am grateful for his invitation to meet, and I pray for his good health.
Happy Easter! pic.twitter.com/SIhU9gYQl2
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) April 20, 2025
Vance, who is Catholic, later shared that he was:
“happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill,”
and noted that his:
“heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.”
Why This Matters to (Catholic) Conservatives
The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a complex era for many conservative Catholics. While all people of faith mourn the death of a holy leader, Francis often had a strained relationship with traditionalists.
(Note: In this story, we use the term “conservative” to describe both political conservatives who value limited government and religious traditionalists within the Church. These groups often overlap but aren’t always the same.)
During his 12-year reign, Francis took positions that sometimes clashed with conservative values. He frequently criticized free market capitalism, spoke strongly on climate change, and took progressive stances on immigration that put him at odds with nationalist movements worldwide.
For conservatives who value limited government and free markets, Francis’s economic views often felt challenging. He pushed for more government intervention in economies and criticized wealth inequality in ways that some saw as undermining individual freedom and responsibility.
What Critics Said
The AP notes that while Francis charmed many with “his humble style and concern for the poor,” he also “alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.” This created tension with traditional Catholics who felt the Church was moving away from its core mission.
The Trump administration and the Pope had feuded over illegal immigration, with the Pope encouraging Christians “to build bridges that bring us ever closer together” and “to avoid walls of ignominy.”
What Happens Next
With Francis’s death, the Catholic Church has entered a period called the “Papal Interregnum” – the time between popes. This triggers a process that includes nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales.
A conclave to elect a new pope will take place between 15 and 20 days after the Pope’s death. About 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in this highly secretive ballot, which could stretch over several days.
The coming weeks will tell us much about the future direction of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. For conservatives who value both faith and freedom, this is a time to watch closely and engage thoughtfully.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
