Donald Trump encountered backlash regarding his attire at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, with certain individuals alleging that he breached the prescribed dress code. Nevertheless, recent photographs and social media responses indicate that the criticism might have been unfounded.
The previous president of the United States was present alongside various global leaders at the funeral held in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Among the distinguished attendees were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Prince William, the heir apparent to the British throne.
At the age of 78, Trump appeared in a blue suit, which attracted criticism from certain observers who argued that he was violating established protocol. The official dress code for the occasion allegedly required male participants to wear a dark suit, a black tie, and a black button on the left lapel. In contrast, Trump’s wife, Melania, who is Roman Catholic, complied with conventional mourning attire by donning a black dress and veil.
The examination commenced soon after Trump shared a message on X (previously known as Twitter) indicating his plan to attend the funeral. The post stated, ‘Melania and I will be attending the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. We anticipate our presence there!’ This wording led to some confusion.
After the ceremony, a cropped image emerged online featuring only Trump in a blue suit, prompting speculation that he was the sole world leader not dressed in black. However, a complete version of the photograph disclosed that multiple other dignitaries, including Prince William and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, were also attired in suits of colors other than black.
Internet users promptly came to Trump’s defense. One individual remarked, ‘This is for all the foolish individuals criticizing President Trump for donning a blue suit… Prince William, President Erdoğan, and others. They are truly clutching at straws.’ Another commenter noted, ‘I observe at least 30 individuals dressed in colors other than black.’
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy distinguished himself by opting not to wear a suit, but rather donning his customary black military uniform, a style he has consistently upheld since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Despite the frequent political disagreements between Pope Francis and Trump during the former president’s tenure—particularly regarding immigration and border policies—Trump’s presence at the funeral aligned more closely with that of other attendees than critics had initially suggested.
