Rome, April 27, 2025 – The funeral of Pope Francis, held on April 26 at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in central Rome, drew global leaders and hundreds of thousands of mourners to honor the late pontiff. Amid the solemn ceremonies, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s choice of attire—a bright blue suit—ignited a firestorm of controversy on social media, raising questions about funeral etiquette, Vatican protocol, and the symbolic meaning behind his sartorial decision.
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, was laid to rest in a historic ceremony that saw world leaders, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, former U.S. President Joe Biden, and Britain’s Prince William, gather to pay their respects. The event, steeped in Catholic tradition, typically calls for a strict dress code: men are expected to wear dark suits with black ties, while women don long black dresses, often accompanied by a mantilla or veil. However, as the procession moved through Rome, it became clear that not all attendees adhered to these norms.
Trump, seated in the front row alongside First Lady Melania Trump—who wore a traditional black ensemble with a lace mantilla—stood out in a midnight-blue suit, paired with a matching blue tie and an American flag pin. The choice quickly drew criticism online. A viral X post by user @acnewsitics, which garnered significant attention, called Trump’s attire “totally embarrassing and disrespectful,” arguing that a funeral of such magnitude warranted at least a black or navy suit. Another user, @tobeloved80, labeled Trump a “narcissist,” suggesting his outfit was a deliberate attempt to stand out, even at a somber event like the Pope’s funeral.
The backlash wasn’t limited to Trump. Zelenskyy, who attended in a black utility jacket and trousers—a wartime uniform he has worn since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022—also faced criticism for not wearing a formal suit. Former President Joe Biden, meanwhile, drew ire for pairing his dark suit with a blue tie instead of a black one. Yet, others, like Prince William, who wore a navy suit with a black tie, largely escaped the same level of scrutiny.
Despite the online uproar, a Vatican source clarified to People magazine on April 26 that Trump did not break protocol. “Attendees wore what they considered to be appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion,” the source stated, signaling a more flexible approach to traditional dress codes. This aligns with evolving norms at the Vatican, where the focus appeared to be on the smooth execution of the ceremony rather than strict adherence to sartorial rules. A Telegraph report noted that even an institution as steeped in tradition as the Catholic Church is adapting to modern times, with many dignitaries opting for variations of formalwear that reflected personal or national significance.
Some defended Trump’s choice by pointing to the symbolic meaning of blue in Catholic tradition. As noted in liturgical contexts, blue is often associated with the Virgin Mary and the concept of hope—values that resonate deeply in Christian theology, particularly at funerals, which emphasize resurrection over mourning. “The color blue is associated with Mary, the Virgin Mother of Christ. He’s tipping his hat to Catholics,” wrote X user @dos_lynx, challenging the narrative of disrespect. Another user, @David_vanH, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Funerals are not about showing depression but HOPE.”
The debate over attire overshadowed, for some, the significance of the event itself. Pope Francis, known for his humility, had requested a simpler funeral than those of his predecessors, opting for a single wooden coffin with a zinc interior instead of the traditional triple-layered cypress, lead, and oak coffins. His burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major—outside the Vatican walls—was a historic choice, making him the first pope since Leo XIII in 1903 to be interred there. Francis, a Jesuit and devotee of the Virgin Mary, chose the site for its proximity to the Salus Populi Romani, a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary he often prayed to during his pontificate.
The funeral also highlighted moments of unity and contrast among global leaders. Zelenskyy, whose wartime attire was likened by the Telegraph to Winston Churchill’s “siren suit” during World War II, received a spontaneous round of applause from attendees, a stark contrast to Trump, who reportedly received no such acknowledgment, according to X user @tweet4Anna_NAFO. Meanwhile, Melania Trump, a self-described “quiet Catholic,” was praised for her adherence to tradition, with her black veil and coat-dress earning nods of approval from observers.
As the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, the controversy over Trump’s blue suit underscored broader tensions about tradition, individuality, and the evolving nature of global ceremonies. While some saw his attire as a breach of decorum, others viewed it as a meaningful gesture within the context of Catholic symbolism. In a ceremony meant to honor a pope who championed simplicity and humility, the debate over a suit may have, ironically, highlighted the very human complexities Francis sought to address during his papacy.
