Malta has declared tomorrow, Tuesday 22 April, as a national day of mourning as a show of respect to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday morning.

In a statement, the government also said that the day of Pope Francis’ funeral – which is yet to be formally announced – will also be observed as a national day of mourning.

All flags on public buildings and office will be flown at half-mast on these two days as a show of respect.

“Pope Francis was the leader of the Catholic Church and a symbol of social justice and peace for the people across the world. The government encourages the Maltese and Gozitan people to come together in this last show of respect by observing these days of mourning,” the statement read.

Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died on Monday. He was 88.

"At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement.

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

The President, the government, the Speaker and the Nationalist Party all paid tribute to the memory of the Pope earlier today.