VATICAN CITY: When world leaders gathered at St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26, President Donald Trump’s outfit stirred up some talk about whether he followed Vatican dress rules.
Trump showed up in a blue suit, a light blue tie, and his usual American flag lapel pin.
Meanwhile, Prince William — who attended in place of King Charles III (who stayed home due to health issues) — went for a safer choice with a darker suit and tie. His outfit fit the Vatican’s expectations a lot better — though even William got some comments from sharp-eyed observers who noticed his suit was dark blue instead of black.
Former President Joe Biden showed up wearing a blue tie, breaking away from the Vatican’s strict funeral dress code.
Vatican’s Dress Code for Papal Funerals
Just for the record, the Vatican has very clear rules for how men should dress at a papal funeral — black suit, black tie, and a black lapel pin — with no exceptions, according to Newsweek.
The Italian newspaper Il Messaggero explained the official guidelines in detail.
“For men, dark suit with a long black tie and a button of the same color on the left lapel of the jacket, where only Vatican honors can be placed. For women, a black dress, preferably long, of the same color as gloves and veil on the head, with the only allowed ornament being a string of pearls,” it wrote.
The paper also added, “These are the prescriptions for those attending the pope’s funeral, according to well-established protocol manuals that also define the seating arrangement for dignitaries and heads of state.”
At least Melania Trump followed the rules. She perfectly matched the traditional look, wearing a long-sleeved black dress along with a black lace mantilla.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also kept his outfit simple with an all-black look, though he chose not to wear a tie. Just two months earlier, Zelensky faced some criticism at the White House for showing up without a suit — a move that reportedly really upset Trump.
Why did Prince William, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden wear blue instead of black at Pope Francis’ funeral?
Prince William and Donald Trump aren’t Catholic, which could explain why they didn’t wear the traditional black to the funeral.
The Catholic Church usually expects black attire at funerals as a sign of respect and mourning. However, non-Catholics aren’t always expected to strictly follow that tradition.
Since Prince William is part of the Church of England and Trump identifies as a nondenominational Christian, they may have chosen to wear a different color to reflect their own religious backgrounds.
As for President Biden, who is a practicing Catholic, it’s not clear why he didn’t follow the Vatican’s usual dress code.
Donald Trump faces flak (and some love) after flouting dress code
His fashion slip-up didn’t go unnoticed.
Trump critic Ron Filipkowski made a sarcastic comment on X (formerly Twitter), posting, “One guy shows up in a blue suit to the Pope’s funeral. You will never guess who.”
Political analyst Molly Ploofkins also chimed in, saying, “According to the dress code required by Vatican officials for Pope Francis’ funeral, men were required to wear a dark suit, along with a long black tie. Trump shows up in blue,” she wrote.
One guy shows up in a blue suit to the Pope’s funeral. You will never guess who. pic.twitter.com/3zBJlc792l
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 26, 2025
According to the dress code required by Vatican officials for Pope Francis’ funeral, men were required to wear a dark suit, along with a long black tie. Trump shows up in blue. pic.twitter.com/Ou5ckXjJqm
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) April 26, 2025
Other critics didn’t hold back either.
One person commented, “These norms are pretty much gone in the US, but for the Pope’s funeral, seems like you should adhere to protocol. A funeral calls for a black wool suit, white shirt, black tie, and black leather dress shoes.”
Another person said angrily, “Dress code – black suits. Trump has a blue suit. He didn’t have money to buy a black one??? The main thing is that everyone was looking at Zelensky’s suit in the White House.”
These norms are pretty much gone in the US, but for the Pope’s funeral, seems like you should adhere to protocol. A funeral calls for a black wool suit, white shirt, black tie, and black leather dress shoes pic.twitter.com/JxTkb1okkS
— derek guy (@dieworkwear) April 26, 2025
dress code – black suits. Trump has a blue suit. He didn’t have money to buy a black one??? The main thing is that everyone was looking at Zelensky’s suit in the White House 😉
— Boris (@BorisLecht) April 27, 2025
Not everyone was criticizing him, though. Trump got some support from political strategist Joey Mannarino, who said, “Trump at the Pope’s funeral is just exuding complete and total class. Absolutely the image America should be projecting to the world,” he wrote.
Mannarino also took a shot at Zelensky, saying, “Zelenskyy couldn’t even wear a suit for Pope Francis’s funeral. And the woke idiots in attendance clapped for him anyway. The lack of respect is unbelievable,” he added.
Trump at the Pope’s funeral is just exuding complete and total class.
Absolutely the image America should be projecting to the world. pic.twitter.com/70hvQhrS6D
— Joey Mannarino 🇺🇸 (@JoeyMannarinoUS) April 26, 2025
