Following the Council of Ministers’ approval of a decree declaring three days of national mourning for the death of Pope Francis, António Leitão Amaro outlined that the applicable legislation on national mourning includes restrictions and limitations, such as lowering flags to half-mast and curbing celebrations.
Without elaborating on the specific restrictions that public institutions, including municipalities, should observe, Leitão Amaro indicated that the government has postponed “festive moments” regarding the Carnation Revolution celebrations to “a subsequent date” and that executive members have canceled all festive events from their schedules, including inaugurations and celebrations.
“We have communicated to the organizing entities, and I assure you that all have been informed by now, that we will not participate in these celebratory events during this period, which is a time of deep and sincere mourning and tribute,” he stated.
Regarding the April 25th parliamentary ceremony, Leitão Amaro emphasized that the Assembly of the Republic “is an autonomous body” and confirmed government participation in the event.
Today, the Council of Ministers approved the decree declaring three days of national mourning for the passing of Pope Francis, to be observed from this Thursday to Saturday.
The decision was announced by Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, during a press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting in Lisbon. This decision reiterates an earlier announcement made by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Tuesday.
