State, U.S. flags to be lowered in Virginia to honor the late Pope Francis

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Glenn Youngkin has ordered that U.S. and Virginia flags be lowered to half-staff until Pope Francis, who died Monday, is interred.

Pope Francis died Monday, April 21, after experiencing a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. He was 88 years old.

Youngkin, in his flag order issued Monday evening, described the 226th pope as "a model of humility and compassion."

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In "memory and respect of His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome," both the American and state flags outside of all of Virginia's state and government buildings are to be lowered immediately, per Youngkin.

They are to remain that way until sunset on the day Pope Francis is interred. The exact date of interment has not yet been shared by the Vatican, but popes are traditionally interred within four to six days of death.