Donald Trump’s unexpectedly prominent seating at Pope Francis’ funeral has sparked interest and criticism, especially after initial reports suggested he would be seated further back.
On Saturday, April 26, vast crowds filled St. Peter’s Square to mourn the late pontiff, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. World leaders including Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, were in attendance.
According to early plans reported by outlets like MSNBC and the Holy See Press Office, the seating arrangement for the funeral was to follow diplomatic protocol based on the French alphabetical order.
This meant the United States—listed as États-Unis—would fall between Estonia and Finland, placing Trump several rows back, behind Catholic royalty, non-Catholic royalty, and other dignitaries.
This structure mirrored arrangements seen at Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005, where Catholic monarchs received top priority, followed by non-Catholic royals and global political leaders. For example, Prince William, representing the British royal family, was seated in the third row alongside Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
However, contrary to expectations, Trump ended up in a front-row seat close to the top steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.
His placement near Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Italian officials raised eyebrows, suggesting exceptions had been made.
Insiders indicated that beyond tradition, the final seating chart took into account the complex dynamics between attending leaders. Cardinal Vincent Nichols told PA news agency that navigating the “big egos” and delicate relationships among global figures was a key part of avoiding diplomatic tension, according to MailOnline.
Catherine Pepinster, a journalist and Vatican expert, explained to The Telegraph that the Holy See’s unique diplomatic ties—including with nations like Russia and Iran—often result in unusual groupings, where world leaders who typically avoid each other find themselves sharing a space.
Despite his high-profile seat, Trump was criticized for his choice of attire.
While Catholic funeral tradition calls for black clothing as a sign of mourning, Trump wore a navy blue suit and matching tie. Social media users quickly condemned the move as disrespectful and inappropriate, saying he looked “out of place” and lacked decorum.
One viewer commented: “Trump is at the Pope’s funeral wearing a blue suit & he looks completely out of place.” Others labeled the outfit “disrespectful” and accused him of once again ignoring social norms.
Critics also pointed out the irony, referencing Trump’s past criticisms of Zelenskyy for dressing casually. Now, they argued, Trump was the one breaking protocol.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy, who wore formal attire but not a full suit, defended his ongoing decision not to don a suit until the war in Ukraine ends—a stance he has upheld since martial law was declared in February 2022.
While Trump’s presence and placement at the funeral stirred controversy, the event itself remained a significant moment in global religious and diplomatic history.
