Donald Trump has been accused of breaking the strict dress code at the funeral of Pope Francis after arriving in a blue suit and blue tie, instead of the traditional black attire required for the solemn occasion at the Vatican.
The official dress code called for men to wear a dark suit with a long black tie and white shirt, along with black shoes, socks, coats, and umbrellas. However, Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and U.S. President Joe Biden all deviated from the expected attire, leading to accusations of “disrespect” from some onlookers.
Trump’s Outfit at the Vatican
Sitting in the front row among hundreds of foreign dignitaries and royalty, Trump wore a mid-blue suit, a shiny blue tie, and an American flag pin.
In contrast, most leaders and mourners followed the dress code, wearing all-black clothing to show respect.
Melania Trump, attending alongside her husband on her 55th birthday, dressed appropriately in a conservative black coat, black lace veil, and gloves, following the Vatican’s guidelines for women.
The criticism was swift on social media, with many commenting that Trump stood out “like a sore thumb” among the other world leaders.
One person wrote:
“Why is Trump the only male world leader who is wearing a blue suit? Shame on him.”
Another added:
“How disrespectful Trump is wearing a blue suit to a funeral.”
A third commented:
“Did he not have a black suit? At least a dark blue one? Where is the respect?”
Biden and Zelensky Also Broke Tradition
While Biden wore a dark suit, he also wore a blue tie, which was against the strict guidelines asking for black ties.
Zelensky arrived in a black combat-style outfit—similar to his wartime attire—rather than a suit. His clothing choice also sparked criticism, especially considering past discussions about appropriate attire during formal visits.
Interestingly, Trump, who had previously mocked Zelensky’s choice of combat clothes during a visit to the White House, once defended Zelensky by saying he liked his style, though reports suggested Trump was actually annoyed by the Ukrainian leader’s casual appearance at official events.
Funeral Ceremony Highlights
Despite the dress code controversy, the funeral at St. Peter’s Square was a grand and emotional ceremony.
Some 200,000 people gathered to honor Pope Francis, including world leaders, cardinals, bishops, and thousands of ordinary mourners.
The funeral Mass was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who praised Pope Francis as “a pope among the people, with an open heart,” highlighting his compassion, commitment to peace, and dedication to climate action.
The pope’s simple coffin was carried by white-gloved pallbearers, with a book of gospels placed on top.
Latin hymns filled the air, and prayers were said in several languages, reflecting the global reach of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis will be buried at the St. Mary Major Basilica, breaking tradition by choosing a simple resting place that bears only his name, Franciscus.