U.S. President Donald Trump has been branded a “disgrace” after allegedly disregarding protocol during the funeral of Pope Francis.
The beloved pontiff was laid to rest on Saturday (April 26) at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, following a solemn requiem mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis tragically passed away on Easter Monday, prompting hundreds of thousands to flock to the Vatican to pay their respects.
More than 200,000 mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square to honor the former head of the Catholic Church, who died at age 88 due to a stroke and heart complications. Among the mourners were members of royalty, along with 50 world leaders.
The high-profile guest list included President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Prince William.
Trump could be seen sporting a blue suit (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
While many attendees kept a low profile, a handful managed to strike a nerve with the millions who tuned in—and not for the right reasons.
Donald Trump, in particular, has come under fire for multiple moments of what critics called “disgraceful” behavior during the funeral. His very presence had already stirred backlash, with some accusing him of attending purely to court Catholic voters.
Here’s a breakdown of Trump’s most controversial moments:
Trump’s Blue Suit
Viewers quickly noticed Trump standing out among a sea of mourners clad in black, opting instead for a bright navy suit.
Traditionally, black attire is worn at Catholic funerals as a sign of mourning and respect for the deceased. Trump wasn’t alone in breaking tradition—Prince William also wore a dark blue suit. However, since not all faiths adhere to strict funeral dress codes, some speculated that Trump and William’s sartorial choices may have been subtle nods to their non-Catholic backgrounds.
Standing on the Carpet
Beyond his wardrobe, Trump was also spotted standing too close to the coffin, with his toes overstepping the carpeted boundary around it.
According to The Art Newspaper, the carpet beneath the coffin represents ‘holy ground’ reserved for the late pontiff, and attendees are expected to keep a respectful distance. Instead of pausing reverently at the edge, both Trump and Melania were seen stepping onto the sacred rug—a move other mourners carefully avoided.
Texting, Sleeping, and Chewing Gum
Subtle signs of boredom are one thing. But Trump’s behavior during the service—texting, nodding off, and chewing gum—was anything but subtle.
At various points, Trump was seen leaning forward to type on his cellphone, later tearing open a pack of gum and popping a piece into his mouth during the service. Cameras even caught him briefly dozing off, eyes closed and mouth open, while sitting prominently in the front row.
While Trump appeared to be the only one sleeping and chewing gum, it’s worth noting that several other attendees were spotted using their phones during the ceremony—some even snapping photos of the late pope’s coffin as it passed by.
Viewers say it looked like the POTUS fell asleep at some points (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Leaving the Pope’s Funeral Early
Donald Trump wasted no time making a swift exit once the funeral concluded, with many viewers noting how quickly he departed to travel back to the U.S.
Social media users were equally quick to criticize the former president’s behavior at the solemn event.
“Of course Trump is the only jacka** wearing a blue suit and blue tie to a funeral… such an embarrassment,” one person wrote.
Another added, “Donald Trump couldn’t even be respectful enough to wear a black suit to Pope Francis’ funeral like the rest of the world leaders. He always has to stand out and make it about himself.”
A third commenter remarked, “Trump at the Pope’s funeral: no traditional black suit, hunched over, and even sleeping! Just blasphemous!”
Meanwhile, another summed it up: “Trump fell asleep during the Pope’s funeral, walked across the rug under the casket (a major faux pas), refused to wear a dark suit, said he was looking forward to a ‘fun trip’ — it’s a funeral, nimrod — and left well before the ceremony ended. Sheesh.”
