Bangladesh has announced three days of state mourning from Thursday to Saturday to honour the death of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church.

A notice issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday night said that the national flag would fly at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous, and educational institutions, as well as at all government and private buildings across the country and Bangladesh’s missions abroad during the mourning period.

Special prayers will also be held for the Pope's soul.

Pope Francis, aged 88, passed away on Monday after being treated for double pneumonia at Gemelli hospital in Rome. He had been leading the Catholic Church since March 2013 and was known for his reformist views that gained him both deep admiration and strong opposition within the Church.

His funeral will take place on Saturday in Vatican City, drawing expressions of sorrow from Catholics around the world.

BDST: 0941 HRS, April 24, 2025
MSK