Three days of mourning for Papa Ivo Pavo II in Croatia and in the US

The Croatian governement doesn't separate Religion and State on the American model, I expected in a 90% Catholic country where most of the leadership are Catholic to see official mourning and flags at half-staff. That is normal there. Here in the States it's odd. I am not necessarily against it, after all Catholics are the largest single religion in the States. there are members of other religions of course, Protestant denominations mostly and there is a siseable Muslim community in the States, in fact it's possible that Muslims out number Jews in the U.S. at this point. Anyway there were people who objected to President Bush ordering flags at half-staff here for the Pope. I guess he's just trying to keep the Catholics cool with him.
I am not cool with President Bush. I think that probably it was not appropriate from a separation of Church and State to lower the flags for Papa Ivo Pavo II, but from a feelings point of view it's understandable.
I find it kind of interesting anyway because Papa Ivo Pavo II was quite critical of the war in Iraq, this war is harmful to the Catholics of that region. The Pope was right to oppose that war, it's the Pope's job to oppose things that endanger Catholic people.
Difficulties between Muslims and Christians endanger ALL of Christendom. That brings us to the other part of the mission of the Pope, he not only is expected to defend the Catholic Church, but all of Christendom, includeing the Protestant and Orthodox branches of the Christian faith.
I think at heart most Americans got this, except for a few real tiresome extremists.
Anyway I have mixed feelings and thoughts about this flag lowering. Probably it's harmless and fighting about it or discussing it is actually more harmful than letting it go. There are bigger fish to fry out there civil liberties-wise.