Evangelical Christian evangelist Billy Graham has died at 99.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association confirmed to several media outlets that the famed evangelist has passed away.
The man known as “America’s Pastor,” who grew up on a farm in North Carolina, was a counselor to a dozen U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama.
President Trump tweeted Wednesday morning mourning Graham’s death and saying he would “be missed by Christians and all religions.”
“The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man,” Trump tweeted.
The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2018
Later in the day, Trump issued a proclamation ordering all American flags on public grounds, military posts, naval vessels, U.S. embassies, and government buildings to be flown at half-staff on the day of Graham’s internment.
INBOX: Trump orders flags to half-staff in honor of Billy Graham: pic.twitter.com/DzRa22Z0lO
— Ed O’Keefe (@edatpost) February 21, 2018
First lady Melania Trump also tweeted her condolences, saying she was “saddened” by the loss and remembering how he impacted “many people with his spiritual teachings.”
Saddened by the loss of Evangelist Billy Graham. He led an impactful life, touching so many people with his spiritual teachings. He will be deeply missed.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) February 21, 2018
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., tweeted that Graham was one person who did so much good for the world, he also spoke for the whole House when he extended condolences to the Graham family.
“His service is a testament that, with faith in God, one person can do so much good,” Ryan tweeted and included a statement.
Rev. Billy Graham dedicated his life to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every part of the world. His service is a testament that, with faith in God, one person can do so much good. The whole House sends its condolences to the Graham family at this time of loss. pic.twitter.com/aH8mY8fehc
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) February 21, 2018
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also acknowledged the passing of “America’s Pastor.”
“His kindly manner and unpretentious nature made him a trusted confidant to twelve U.S. presidents, reassuring generations of Americans that their leaders could count on this humble man of God for counsel and support,” McConnell said in a statement. “By standing right in the middle, Billy Graham could reach everyone.”
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in with a Wednesday Twitter post. He was a “humble servant” who gave “guidance to generations of Americans,” Obama tweeted.
Billy Graham was a humble servant who prayed for so many – and who, with wisdom and grace, gave hope and guidance to generations of Americans.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 21, 2018
He was also an opponent of racial segregation, and was a close friend and ally of Martin Luther King Jr., who once said “had it not been for the ministry of my good friend Dr. Billy Graham, my work in the Civil Rights Movement would not have been as successful as it has been.”
Graham was known for saying, “My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”
