When President Donald Trump arrived at Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, he did not blend in. While nearly everyone wore black to show respect, Trump chose a navy blue suit. His wife, First Lady Melania Trump, wore a black dress and a head covering, similar to those of the other mourners. But the president’s blue suit made him stand out “like a sore thumb,” as many on social media said.
The funeral took place at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. About 130 official delegations and 10 reigning monarchs attended. The front rows were filled with leaders from Argentina and Italy, the two countries closest to the Pope’s life. After them, other nations sat in an order set by the French alphabet. That meant “Etats-Unis” (United States in French) came further down the line. Television cameras panned over the crowd, and Trump’s blue suit glowed against the black worn by other leaders.
In many cultures, black is often associated with mourning. It shows respect for the person who has passed away and for those who are grieving. At large funerals, world leaders adhere to a strict dress code to demonstrate unity. By wearing blue, Trump broke that unspoken rule.
Almost instantly, people online reacted.
He sticks out like a sore thumb. https://t.co/jGxnSAGJa7
— Gary 🟧 (@gscucci) April 26, 2025
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Just a fucking asshole human.
— Justin Windheim (@jwindheim) April 26, 2025
A true narcissist, needs to be the centre of attention, even at the Pope’s funeral.
— TwoDogs ∞ 🦋 (@Steph2Dogs) April 26, 2025
He’s such an idiot, he just can’t help it.
— Infinite Jest (@infinitejest) April 26, 2025
The fat rapist narcissist need to be the centre of all things. His fascist friends in the audience will have realised that by now. At least his aging wife got the memo.
— Erin Tracey (@ErinTracey89) April 26, 2025
Totally inappropriate. Such lack of respect.
— Let US think a bit (@letusthinkabit) April 26, 2025
Actually I’m surprised he’s not wearing his red MAGA cap.
— Lavonda Romine (@LavondaRomine5) April 26, 2025
It’s deliberate. He’s doing it for the attention, and it’s working!
— J Kennedy 🇸🇩 🇺🇦😷 (@socrates2sox) April 26, 2025
He does not care.
— GC (@GCDCBB17) April 26, 2025
Trump and Pope Francis have often disagreed. In 2016, the Pope criticized Trump’s plan to build a wall on the U.S.–Mexico border. He said, “A person who thinks only about building walls… is not Christian.” Trump later called this comment “disgraceful.” Their 2017 meeting in the Vatican was tense.
The Vatican has a long tradition of hosting significant events. Seating is arranged by rank and country, not by personal preference. Argentina leads because Francis was born there. Italy followed because the Pope served as the Bishop of Rome. Then comes the rest in French alphabetical order—from “Albanie” (Albania) to “Zambie” (Zambia). Even royal families are placed before heads of state to honor ancient customs.
Funerals are times for unity. They bring people together to share grief and hope. Dress codes help everyone express the same feeling of sorrow. When a guest breaks that code, it can feel like a break in respect.
Featured image via Screengrab