Politics

Official mourning for the Pope's death: Is it compatible with a secular state?

Condolences for the death of Pope Francis have spread throughout the world. Flags flew at half-staff for the pontiff's passing in countries as diverse as the United States, Poland, Italy, Brazil, Mozambique, and India, while in Argentina, his native country, a seven-day national mourning period was declared. Halfway through, Spain declared three days of mourning, a decision the government replicated in Catalonia and which has affected official events commemorating Sant Jordi. Beyond what the Pope means to the Catholic community, socialist governments have justified the decision by citing Francis's "moral" leadership and his defense of the poor, immigrants, and victims of war around the world. Now, is a declaration of national mourning for the death of a religious figure possible in a state that, like Spain, is secular?

Condolences for the death of Pope Francis have spread throughout the world. Flags flew at half-staff for the pontiff's passing in countries as diverse as the United States, Poland, Italy, Brazil, Mozambique, and India, while in Argentina, his native country, a seven-day national mourning period was declared. Halfway through, Spain declared three days of mourning, a decision the government replicated in Catalonia and which has affected official events commemorating Sant Jordi.

Beyond what the Pope means to the Catholic community, socialist governments have justified the decision by citing Francis's "moral" leadership and his defense of the poor, immigrants, and victims of war around the world. Now, is a declaration of national mourning for the death of a religious figure possible in a state that, like Spain, is secular?.