Donald Trump was among the many foreign dignitaries who traveled to Vatican City to pay tribute at the Pope’s funeral yesterday (26 April), but viewers were quick to label him a ‘disgrace.’
An estimated 400,000 mourners, including leaders and royals from across the globe, gathered to honor Pope Francis following his death on Monday.
Yet despite the large turnout, the US president still managed to draw attention for all the wrong reasons, as he was accused of ‘breaking the dress code.’
And after facing criticism for his choice of outfit, Trump found himself under fire again for two actions that many felt showed ‘ultimate disrespect’ during the ceremony.
World leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Irish President Michael D Higgins, and Sir Keir Starmer were also in attendance in Rome, all dressed in traditional black attire.
However, Trump chose to wear a navy-blue suit, and among a sea of mourners dressed in much darker colors, he stood out conspicuously.
Many users on Twitter slammed the former president, saying he had ‘no class’ and questioning why he wasn’t ‘wearing traditional black.’
“Why is Trump wearing a blue suit instead of a black one like others. Perhaps Zelenskyy could ask him why he hasn’t dressed more appropriately?” one person posted, while others remarked that the American showed ‘zero respect.’
It should be noted that Trump wasn’t the only figure in navy, as Prince William also wore a darker shade of blue.
But Trump didn’t stop there—his behavior during the service sparked even more outrage.
Cameras caught what appeared to be Trump chewing gum and checking his phone during the funeral.
Social media users quickly condemned him, with one writing: “Texting from the front row at a funeral…the ultimate disrespect and rudeness from the President of America.”
Another branded him a ‘total embarrassment.’
“Such a douchebag. Wearing blue, not black. On his phone at the Pope’s funeral. I’m an atheist, but even I show respect for the dead,” another critic said.
As Pope Francis had requested, he was moved to the Basilica of St Mary Major, a place he visited often during his lifetime.
In his final testament, the Pope expressed his desire for simplicity, requesting a simplified coffin and modest funeral arrangements.
Entrusting himself to the Virgin Mary, he wrote: “May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”