The funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025, drew over 200,000 mourners to

St. Peter’s Square, honoring a pontiff who died at 88 from a stroke and heart complications after a transformative 12-year papacy championing humility and social justice.

World leaders, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, gathered to pay respects,

reflecting Francis’ global influence across divides.

Yet, U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions stole the spotlight, as he wore a bright navy blue suit instead of the traditional black mourning attire,

used his phone, chewed gum, and stepped onto the sacred carpet near the pontiff’s coffin—breaches of protocol that shocked observers.

These moments, stark against the solemnity of the occasion, hinted at a deeper disregard for diplomatic norms, setting the stage for a controversy that would unfold further.

Trump’s behavior, including appearing to doze off and leaving the ceremony early,

sparked global outrage, with social media erupting under hashtags like

#TrumpFuneralBehavior. Critics highlighted his attire as a stark contrast to Melania Trump’s appropriate

black outfit and other leaders’ adherence to protocol, noting his prior criticism of Zelenskyy’s dress as hypocritical.

Experts, including Dr. Massimo Faggioli, emphasized the symbolic weight of these breaches, particularly stepping on the sacred carpet, considered

“holy ground” in Catholic tradition.