Australian Government flags will fly at half-mast across the country today in honour of Pope Francis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced yesterday. Source: ABC News.
Speaking in Melbourne, Mr Albanese said: “Australian Catholics and faithful around the world give thanks for the life of their Holy Father, Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome”.
“I have asked the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet that all flags from the Commonwealth Government of Australia will fly at half-mast tomorrow as a sign of respect,” he said.
“And my sincere condolences to everyone for whom tonight it will be a very difficult evening.”
Mr Albanese said Pope Francis’s compassion “embraced all humanity”, adding that he will be “mourned by Catholics and non-Catholics alike”.
“He was very much a modernist. His message that he sent out echoed in our region during his historic visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Timor-Leste,” he said.
“The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere was close to the people of Australia.
“For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed his condolences in a video statement.
“On behalf of the Coalition, I express my condolences to Australians of Catholic and Christian faith upon the sad news of the death of the 266th pontiff,” he said.
“His Holiness, Pope Francis, served God with the utmost devotion throughout his life,” he said.
“He was the first pope from the Jesuit order and the first Latin American pope. He lived frugally and simply.
“Above all else, he was driven by Christ’s values of mercy and forgiveness.
“He emphasised those values in his last Christmas address. saying, ‘God’s mercy can do all things. It unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; God’s mercy dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge’.
“With God, may Pope Francis rest in peace.”
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Anthony Albanese says Australian flags will fly at half mast to honour death of Pope Francis (By Samantha Dick, ABC News)
