Former First Lady Melania Trump wore a traditional black lace mantilla and a long-sleeved black dress to the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, observing longstanding Vatican dress codes for women. President Donald Trump, by contrast, attended the service in a blue suit and light blue tie, drawing criticism for departing from formal protocol typically required at papal funerals.
Melania Trump, the first practicing Catholic first lady since Jacqueline Kennedy, paired her black ensemble with gloves and stilettos, echoing the attire she wore during a 2017 visit to the Vatican. "Today's visit with His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex is one I'll never forget," Melania wrote at the time, emphasizing her reverence for Catholic traditions.
President Trump's choice of a blue suit stood out among the sea of mourners clad in black, including dignitaries and royals from around the world. According to Il Messaggero, Vatican protocols prescribe a black suit, black tie, and black lapel pin for men attending papal funerals. Trump's ensemble, including his signature American flag lapel pin, deviated from these expectations.
Prince William, representing King Charles III, also wore a dark blue suit rather than black, further complicating criticisms directed solely at Trump. Former President Joe Biden attended wearing a blue tie, another divergence from tradition.
President Trump and first lady Melania will likely have a third-row seat to Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, sandwiched between African dignitaries — and far away from Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky. World leaders are expected to sit in alphabetical order according to… pic.twitter.com/lJy0xbGWSG — Papa Hemingway (@PopHemingway) April 26, 2025
Political commentator Ron Filipkowski remarked on X, formerly Twitter, "One guy shows up in a blue suit to the Pope's funeral. You will never guess who," while political analyst Molly Ploofkins wrote, "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."
Others defended the former president's appearance, with political strategist Joey Mannarino posting, "Trump at the Pope's funeral is just exuding complete and total class. Absolutely the image America should be projecting to the world."
Notably, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were seated in the front row, breaking from traditional Vatican seating arrangements that typically prioritize Catholic royals, followed by non-Catholic royals and then heads of state alphabetically. Former President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were seated several rows behind the Trumps.
The funeral, which took place on Melania Trump's 55th birthday, drew hundreds of thousands of mourners to Vatican City. After the Mass, Pope Francis' coffin was transported by an open-air popemobile to its final resting place, flanked by crowds lining the Roman streets.
Melania Trump's attire underscored her careful navigation of public appearances, contrasting past controversies such as the 2018 incident when she wore a Zara jacket emblazoned with the words "I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO U?" during a visit to a migrant children's shelter, sparking widespread criticism.
Saturday's funeral also saw Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wearing his signature all-black ensemble minus a tie, continuing a sartorial style that had drawn previous rebuke when he visited the White House. Mannarino criticized Zelenskyy's attire, saying, "Zelenskyy couldn't even wear a suit for Pope Francis's funeral. And the woke idiots in attendance clapped for him anyway."
