The Government of the Balearic Islands has declared three days of official mourning in the autonomous community following the death of Pope Francis. The president of the Government, Margalida Prohens, has signed a decree establishing the start of the official mourning from 3:00 p.m. yesterday, Monday 21 April, until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday 24 April.

Pope Francis

Photo: Instagram vaticanolasantasede.

During this period, flags will fly at half-mast on all buildings of the public administrations of the Balearic Islands as a sign of respect and mourning. In addition, today Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., a minute of silence will be held at the Consolat de Mar in tribute to the pontiff.

The Consell de Mallorca has also joined this gesture of condolence. The flags at the Palau del Consell and the Teatre Principal are already flying at half-mast, and a minute of silence has been called for today Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Palau del Consell.

During his pontificate, Pope Francis canonised in 2015 the first Mallorcan saint, the Franciscan Juníper Serra, and initiated the process for Miguel Maura, the priest from Palma who died in 1915 and was the brother of liberal politician Antonio Maura.

The funeral will be held on 28 April

Yesterday, Monday, at 7:35 a.m., the Holy Father passed away. With deep sorrow, the Church announced his death and invited all the faithful to join in prayer for his soul. According to the liturgical protocol established in the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, that same Monday 21 April, at 8:00 p.m., His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presided over the rite of verification of death and the placement of the body in the coffin, in the chapel of the Domus Sanctæ Marthæ.

On Monday 28 April 2025, the funeral of Pope Francis will be held in St. Peter’s Square, in Vatican City. The ceremony will be presided over by the College of Cardinals and attended by religious authorities, heads of state and thousands of faithful from around the world who will come to pay tribute to the pontiff. After the ceremony, he will be buried in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.

First Latin American pontiff

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires in 1936, made history by becoming the first Latin American Pope and the first member of the Society of Jesus to occupy the papacy. Elected in 2013 under the name Francis, his pontificate marked a shift in style within the Catholic Church, focused on closeness to the faithful, simplicity, and a firm commitment to social issues.

His election was welcomed with hope throughout the American continent and beyond, especially for his pastoral approach and his consistent defence of the poor, migrants and the marginalised. Francis managed to connect with millions of people around the world, both believers and non-believers, through his message of compassion, fraternity and dialogue.