Walt Disney World Resort has entered a period of mourning, lowering United States flags across its Central Florida theme parks and destinations to honor the late Pope Francis. The pontiff died Monday morning at 88.
The Catholic Pope died early Monday morning following a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure. Pope Francis, who suffered from a chronic lung condition, had part of a lung removed in his younger years and was hospitalized with double pneumonia for 38 days earlier this year.
Just one day before his death, on Easter Sunday, the pontiff met with United States Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism six years ago. Hours later, Pope Francis appeared for his final Easter homily, declaring “Buona Pasqua!” (Happy Easter!) before an archbishop read his speech aloud to thousands in St. Peter’s Square.
Shortly after the Vatican announced Pope Francis’s death on April 21, President Donald Trump ordered that the American flag be flown at half-staff “upon all public buildings and grounds” until sunset on the day of interment.
Walt Disney World Resort’s American flags were already at half-staff Monday morning to honor the victims of Thursday’s shooting at Florida State University. Two people were killed and six more were injured in that incident.
According to a report from WDWNT, Walt Disney World Resort had planned to raise its flags at noon on Monday. However, they will now remain at half-staff in memory of Pope Francis.
Magic Kingdom Park still performs its daily Flag Retreat ceremony, even when the American flag is at half-staff. At 5:00 p.m. each night, Disney cast members choose one veteran Walt Disney World Resort guest to help lower the flag that waves over the original Central Florida park. “The Star-Spangled Banner” plays as trumpets blow, and guests are invited to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The flag is retired for the night until Disney cast members arrive to raise it the next morning.
Have you ever watched the Flag Retreat at Magic Kingdom Park? Share your memories with Disney Dining in the comments.
Yes it’s very emotional, beautiful ceremony