On Thursday 5 January 2023, a Funeral Service for His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be held at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was Bishop of Rome, head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy See from 2005 to 2013.
As a mark of mourning and respect, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Thursday 5 January 2023 in your locality from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.
- When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
- If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag.
- An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
- Information on flag protocol is available.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Commonwealth Flag Officer