Why Are Flags At Half-Mast in US Today, This Week?

Newsweek ^ | April 22, 2025 | Hugh Cameron

[Leaning Right]

All federal and state flags will be displayed at half-staff this week in a show of respect for the recent passing of Pope Francis.

[Leaning Right]

Among other things, it sets a bad precedent. Now the next Democrat president can order the flag lowered when some Muslim Grand Poobah dies.

🙁

[al_c]

They’re only “Half Mast” on ships... They are “Half Staff” because Trump ordered it based on the Pope’s death (which I disagree with).

You may disagree with it, but being that the Vatican is a valid country (City-state), Pope Francis was a foreign dignitary. Flag code states: In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.

[al_c]

Does the U.S. fly its flags at half staff for any other religious leader?

Not just a religious leader. The Vatican is its own country, so that makes the pope a foreign dignitary as well.

[BenLurkin]

[Leaning Right]

Thanks for that list. As was noted before, I’m against this sort of thing. But Pope John Paul II was a close ally of Reagan. I’ll give him that. He, Reagan, and Maggie Thatcher worked as a team to bring down the Iron Curtain.

All Francis did was lecture us as if we were small children.

[T.B. Yoits]

Once government officials raised the LGBTQMS-13 rainbow flag, they pretty much said it's all a farce anyway.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

**Are we a Catholic nation?***

I remember the 1960 election between Catholic Kennedy and Quaker raised Nixon.
Our elderly neighbor was so distraught she proclaimed...”IF WE ELECT A CATHOLIC WE ARE LOST!”

It did not affect my family as they supported the democrats but never registered to vote as they did not want to get called for jury duty.
I now joke that on Election Day they all rise from the dead, go to the polls and all vote the Democratic Ticket.

[MulberryDraw]

People should get flag poles that are twice as high and leave the flags at half staff all the time. This is getting ridiculous.

[tumblindice]

Check to see if the Babylon Bee. Whut? Barry White song swells
What’s the difference between AOC taking a bubble bath, and every cardinal in Rome praying to wear the Big Hat?
The cardinals have hope in their soul. Sandy has soap in her hole.
HEEYYY! What a great crowd here in Vatican City! you’re the first, the last, my everything

[Jamestown1630]

The obelisk in St. Peter’s Square isn’t a ‘Vatican’ symbol. It was brought there long before ‘The Vatican’ existed.

[GingisK]

Respect. Freepers don’t seem to understand. Too bad.

[Resolute Conservative]

Surely you joke.

[x]

☺️☺️☺️

[Jamestown1630]

I think he did it out of respect for the pope's position, and respect for the millions of Catholics in the US.

[Wuli]

“Not just a religious leader. The Vatican is its own country, so that makes the pope a foreign dignitary as well.”

As POTUS I would withdraw that recognition, and end relations with any state that does not do the same.

[Jamestown1630]

You would make a terrible diplomat.

[Deaf Smith]

Where is the San Jacinto monument?

It is taller than any of the three you posted.

[McGavin999]

It’s a sign of respect for the millions of Catholics Americans.

[Responsibility2nd]

Respect? You mean the kind of respect that ebb tide and so many others spent many numerous threads badmouthing the pope as a commie and a socialist? And now that he’s dead these same Catholics lineup to pray the rosary for him.

[Wuli]

Matters of state should not be religious matters.