Pope Francis’s burial took place in St. Peter’s Square on April 26 under cloudy skies, drawing dignitaries, religious leaders, and mourners from all over the world to Vatican City.
The event was rooted in the humility that the pope himself advocated. The Pope, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, had specifically asked for simplicity rather than the extravagance customary for papal ceremonies.
As an alternative to the traditional three-tiered caskets of cypress, lead, and elm, his simple wooden coffin was lined with zinc, a material chosen for its environmental practicality.
However, in the midst of the ceremony’s austere beauty, former US President Donald Trump inadvertently became the centre of attention, sparking a flurry of criticism over his choice to wear a navy-blue suit, which stood out against the sea of mourners dressed in black.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins stood solemnly in a traditional black morning coat, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wore a dark suit and black tie, and Prince William wore a tailored black overcoat.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided over the funeral mass, which attracted a constellation of world leaders. Even First Lady Melania Trump followed the rules, wearing a veiled fascinator and a stylish black dress. But Trump deviated significantly from the unwritten clothing code.
Within seconds after his arrival, social media erupted, with many denouncing the decision as impolite. One X user said, “Funerals demand respect, not a fashion statement,” while another wrote, “Trump’s blue suit screams, ‘Look at me!’” in front of a group of mourning leaders.
ritics drew attention to the contradiction between his clothing and Catholic custom, which holds that black represents grief and support for the departed.
Because of Trump’s own history of regulating other people’s clothing, the opposition gained momentum. When Zelenskyy wore a casual khaki jumper to a White House meeting in February 2023, he openly mocked him, saying, “Leaders should dress properly for serious occasions.”
Observers did not miss the irony. On MSNBC’s live broadcast, a commentator said, “Zelenskyy wore black today—perhaps he should ask Trump why he didn’t return the favour.” Others questioned if Trump’s decision was a strategic attempt to gain more attention, which is a defining characteristic of his public image.
According to a Vatican protocol expert who was quoted by Reuters, “he can’t blend in, even at a funeral.” “His whole political brand is metaphorically represented by it.”
Observers did not miss the irony. On MSNBC’s live broadcast, a commentator said, “Zelenskyy wore black today—perhaps he should ask Trump why he didn’t return the favour.” Others questioned if Trump’s decision was a strategic attempt to gain more attention, which is a defining characteristic of his public image.
According to a Vatican protocol expert who was quoted by Reuters, “he can’t blend in, even at a funeral.” “His whole political brand is metaphorically represented by it.”
As a last gesture of inclusivity, the Vatican asked migrant families, refugees, and homeless people to gather on the steps of the church as the coffin arrived, their presence serving as a quiet protest against injustice throughout the world.
Meanwhile, delicate diplomatic moments were overshadowed by Trump’s fashion scandal. While U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was observed having a private discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy, whose leadership during the conflict has made him a symbol of tenacity, .
had a brief, solemn exchange with Prince William. However, Trump’s bright suit and tough manner stoked arguments about respect and performative politics, and the cameras kept panning to him. “Even in the shadow of death, this was a refusal to conform—it wasn’t just a wardrobe choice,” cultural critic Anne Helen Petersen contended on Twitter.
That being said, the Vatican remained apolitical. Spokesman Matteo Bruni stressed during a press briefing that the day was “only about honouring [Francis’s] legacy of compassion.”
Behind the scenes, aides disclosed that the Pope had made clear that eulogies were to be avoided, stating that the emphasis should be on “prayer, not praise.” This philosophy was reflected in his coffin, which was merely embellished with a wooden cross and a handwritten message that said, “Pauper Sum” (I am poor).
The contrasts of the day persisted as nightfall descended on Rome: a former president whose unwavering self-assertion collided with the communal sadness, and a Pope who rejected pomp in life but inspired unparalleled worldwide solidarity in death. For Trump,
the criticism mirrored previous scandals—his casual golf shirt visit to Pearl Harbour in 2017 and his 2018 Armistice Day absence—where public expectations and personal branding clashed.
Even yet, the gentler parts of the funeral were heard over the cacophony. As she touched his casket, a nun from Francis’s native Argentina broke down in tears. “He saw us,” muttered a Syrian refugee who had been invited to the basilica steps.
A group of climate activists also carried a banner in a corner of the area that said, “The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth,” which is a quote from the Pope’s encyclical Laudato Si’.
The day ultimately belonged to Francis, a man whose simplicity stood up to the strong, despite their final attempts to eclipse him.
