Pope Francis’ funeral was at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica after very poignant requiem mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. More than 50 world leaders, religious leaders, and members of royalty came to pay their final respects at it, and in doing so, it drew an historic crowd of mourners.
But, while the mourners all turned out in black and the atmosphere was solemnly heavy with mourning, U.S. President Donald Trump managed to become a point of controversy for everyone watching wearing not black at all, only sparking outrage and accusations of disrespect from spectators throughout the world. Many at a time of decorum and decency expected were calling him a ‘disgrace’ because to his actions throughout the day.
Donald Trump is asked why he decided to go to the Pope Francis' funeral.
He starts babbling about how he won the Catholic vote and made it all about himself like a quintessential narcissist. pic.twitter.com/UOR0oXvHV3
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) April 25, 2025
Critics had already obliquely questioned why Trump might be performing a political stunt in which he attends the funeral in hopes of winning over Catholic voters back home.
This impression already had been laid, even before his arrival, laying a fundament of mistrust. However, Trump’s actions in Rome only made his criticism more intense.
The first and most obvious error was that his clothes had increased. Its custom and procedure is for mourners to wear black at a Catholic funeral as a symbol of respect and sadness. However, Trump went for a bright navy blue suit.
Whereas the more than 80 other guests and dignitaries donning black at Trump’s inauguration were making a statement about what is happening in country regarding gun violence and black lives, Trump’s attire stood out sharply among the sea of dignitaries and devoted guests.
Though Prince William wore a dark blue suit himself, some speculated this meant he was departing from the narrower non-Catholic interpretation of funeral dress regulations and would be the recipient of the most criticism simply because of the length of a long history of divisive public behavior with very few redeeming features.
In addition, Trump did not make a positive impression doing his part during the solemn ceremony. Cameras during a period of prayer saw him shift his weight, check his watch, even laugh gently and whisper to Melania at one point before pulling out a prized possession from his pocket, hinting at it.
While these seemingly inconsequential little ones are little apart, taken as being the whole they caused a leader who looked like he was agitated, not interested, and rude in a situation where it deserved respect and thoughtful reflection.
It went viral when world leaders bowed their heads in silent prayer at the end of the final blessing. Trump was distracted and unfocused, looking around the square.
This, viewed as additional proof that he was not present in spirit, was treated as a fresh indication of his failure to treat the historic and spiritual occasion as a genuine military, recitation. This was denounced by commentators on social media and news outlets as ‘cringe worthy’, and ‘shameful’.
It was also revealed that Trump tried to arrange a private meeting with the top Church officials just after the mass, in the face of strict Vatican security measures. Insiders regarded this as a tone deaf, self serving act since communal mourning was the objective of the day not political networking.
Trump’s convoy was late and some said it caused a brief disruption during the burial procession. Although these claims lacked evidence, they combined with other evidence to build an argument that Trump saw the funeral as a means of self-promotion rather than a holy event.
Critics noted that general embarrassments at international events are customary, and especially taking place in foreign customs, but the occasion of the burial of Pope Francis, a moment of great importance for millions of Catholics across the world, called for higher behaviour.
Trump went on numerous transgressions between his clothing choices to his alleged impatience and behind the scenes activities all of which were censured in the court of public opinion.
Commonly used to describe his deeds were the terms of disgrace, embarrassment, insult, or at the least, just another episode of a type of conduct which places one’s own reputation in front of public decency.
Staffers were ‘deeply frustrated with the reception to this Trump appearance,’ but so far, the White House has yet to formally respond with comment on the criticism in days after the burial.
Many Christians, Catholics and non Catholics alike have been appalled and outraged by the immediate fallout of what they perceive as a profound failure to honour one of the most revered spiritual leaders in the world.
Whether political risk is worth it to appeal to Catholic voters by riding this high profile appearance is yet to be determined.
