Sri Lanka, April 24 -- The Sri Lankan government has decided to declare April 26, 2025 (Sunday), a National Day of Mourning in view of late Pope Francis' funeral.

Accordingly, all state institutions and offices are informed to fly the national flag at half-mast on Sunday (April 26), the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, S. Alokabandara said in a statement.

Pope Francis' funeral has been scheduled for Saturday in front of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican announced following a meeting of the College of Cardinals at the Catholic Church's city-state headquarters in the heart of Rome.

The coffin carrying the pope, who died Monday morning after suffering a stroke and heart failure ...