Howard County flag to be lowered to half-staff in honor of late Pope Francis

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has ordered the Howard County Flag to be lowered to half-staff, as a mark of respect for the memory of Pope Francis, effective immediately and returned to full-staff at sunset on the day of internment. As a matter of protocol, the Maryland flag is lowered to half-staff.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has ordered the Howard County Flag to be lowered to half-staff, as a mark of respect for the memory of Pope Francis, effective immediately and returned to full-staff at sunset on the day of internment. As a matter of protocol, the Maryland flag is lowered to half-staff. No flag may fly higher than the United States flag.

The world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a man of many firsts for the Catholic church. As the first pope ever to hail from the Americas, Francis left an indelible mark as a man of the people who was known for his passion for service. We are thankful for his years of leadership and pray for all who are grieving his death today.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

Francis served 12 years as the head of the Catholic church. He died Monday April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Francis had been hospitalized for 38 days weeks earlier for a respiratory crisis. He will be laid to rest in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. He will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.

Howard County flag to be lowered to half-staff in honor of late Pope Francis

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