This Easter certainly had a different feel from previous years. After a long battle against several health issues, Pope Francis passed away on Monday 21 April 2025, also known as Easter Monday. Since this special day, millions of believers have gathered to say goodbye to their leader, who led a rather normal life before joining the priesthood.
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Many world leaders attended Pope Francis' funeral, however Donald Trump's outfit has raised eyebrows.
Donald Trump accused of breaking protocol during Pope's funeral
Pope Francis' funeral took place on Saturday 26 April 2025, and in the crowd of people wearing black Donald Trump certainly stood out in his navy blue suit. It is widely known that in Christian funerals, one is expected to wear black—a historic sign of one's grief.
Indeed, Donald Trump walked into the solemn ceremony, which took place at St Peter's Square in the Vatican, wearing a navy blue suit and tie, as well as his usual US flag lapel pin. Many have since criticized his outfit. One person wrote on X:
He always has to stick out and try and be the center of attention.
Did Donald Trump break protocol?
The Vatican's dress code was not formerly laid out. One source from the Vatican reportedly told Italian magazine Il Messaggero:
For men, dark suit with a long black tie and a button of the same color on the left lapel of the jacket, where only Vatican honors can be placed. For women, a black dress, preferably long, of the same color as gloves and veil on the head, with the only allowed ornament being a string of pearls.
While women were explicitly told to wear a 'black dress', it appears as so male attendees had a less specific dress code. It has also been noted that Trump was not the only leader who opted for a dark blue suit. Prince William, who was the official representative of the Royal family on behalf of King Charles, also chose to wear a navy blue outfit. President Biden also wore a blue tie.
A source from the Vatican told People:
Attendees wore what they considered to be appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion.
Melania Trump followed protocol to a T, wearing a long black dress and gloves, adorned by a dark veil over her face. Even President Zelensky, who had recently been criticised by Donald Trump's clique for not wearing a suit, traded his usual military attire for a black ensemble, that may not have been a suit, but the colour was right.
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Sources used:
Newsweek: Donald Trump, Prince William Outfits at Pope Francis' Funeral Raise Eyebrows
The Hindustan Times: Did Trump, Prince William, Biden violate Pope Francis' funeral dress code? Here's why they preferred ‘blue’ over black
People: Donald Trump Wears Blue to Pope Francis’ Funeral. Did He Break Vatican Protocol?
Il Messaggero: Attire and Order for the Pope's Funeral
