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France’s Decision to Lower Flags for Pope Francis Fuels Secularism Debate

The government’s tribute to the late Pope as a head of state draws praise and criticism, highlighting tensions over laïcité and state protocol.

François Bayrou dans la cour de l'Elysée, le 16 avril.
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Overview

  • The French government announced that national flags will be lowered on April 26, the day of Pope Francis’s funeral, as a tribute to his status as a head of state.
  • Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau defended the move, comparing it to similar honors for Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, citing global mourning and the Pope’s unique role.
  • Critics, including Deputy Alexis Corbière and Senator Pierre Ouzoulias, argue the gesture undermines France’s secular principles and applies inconsistent standards for religious figures.
  • Prime Minister François Bayrou faced scrutiny for reversing his 2005 stance opposing flag-lowering for Pope John Paul II, with some attributing the change to evolving views.
  • The decision has reignited broader debates over the balance between symbolic diplomacy, secularism, and consistency in state tributes.