During the funeral service of Pope Francis, former U.S. President Donald Trump attracted controversy for a series of perceived protocol breaches, leading critics online to label his conduct as a “disgrace.”
The funeral took place on Saturday, April 26, following a requiem mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 due to complications from a stroke and heart failure, was later laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome.
Massive crowds gathered at the Vatican to pay tribute to the late pope. Over 200,000 mourners were present, including heads of state, royalty, and prominent political figures such as Prince William, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Trumps.
Despite the solemn nature of the event, Trump’s actions did not go unnoticed by viewers around the world. Critics argue that his behavior during the service lacked respect and was aimed more at appealing to Catholic voters than paying genuine tribute.
Attire Stirs Reactions
Trump’s choice of a bold navy suit sparked immediate backlash. In contrast to the customary black attire worn at Catholic funerals to symbolize mourning, his lighter-colored outfit stood out prominently. Although he wasn’t the only guest in blue—Prince William also wore a dark navy suit—many saw the choice as a departure from tradition, potentially signaling a lack of regard for Catholic customs.
Breach of Sacred Space
Another point of contention involved Trump and First Lady Melania stepping onto the carpet that surrounded the pope’s coffin. The carpet, representing consecrated ground, is typically off-limits to visitors. While other attendees maintained a respectful distance, the Trumps were seen with their shoes crossing the boundary, a gesture many perceived as disrespectful.
Visible Disengagement
Footage from the funeral showed Trump appearing distracted at multiple moments. He was seen using his phone, briefly falling asleep, and chewing gum—all while seated in the front row. At one point, cameras captured him tapping on his phone before slipping it back into his pocket. Later, he popped a piece of gum into his mouth and closed his eyes, seemingly dozing off.
Although he wasn’t alone in using electronic devices—some attendees took photos—Trump was the only high-profile figure visibly chewing and nodding off on camera.
Additionally, he left the funeral quickly once the ceremony concluded, with reports noting he departed Rome almost immediately afterward.
Public Backlash
Social media reactions were swift and harsh. One user commented, “Only Trump would show up to a funeral in a blue suit and blue tie—totally inappropriate.” Another remarked, “He always needs to make himself the center of attention.”
A third posted, “Trump didn’t wear black, crossed the sacred carpet, fell asleep during the service. Absolutely disrespectful.”
And a fourth added, “He called the trip ‘fun,’ left early, and couldn’t even stay awake. It’s disgraceful.”
