Wearing a Blue Suit and Tie at the Pope's Funeral Mass
"Memorial Service Transformed into a Diplomatic Stage for World Leaders"
There is criticism that President Donald Trump of the United States, by continuing his characteristic unpredictable actions that draw global attention during his visit to the Vatican, effectively overshadowed the solemnity of Pope Francis's funeral mass. In particular, controversy arose as President Trump wore a blue suit and tie instead of black at the funeral mass, with some suggesting that even this was a deliberate display intended to showcase President Trump's diplomatic influence.
Pope Francis faced criticism for wearing a blue suit and tie instead of black at his funeral mass, with some suggesting that even this was a deliberate display to showcase President Trump's diplomatic influence. AFP·Yonhap News
On the 26th (local time), the American political media outlet Politico evaluated that St. Peter's Square had become a center of high-stakes diplomacy as many world leaders gathered in the Vatican. However, Politico also criticized that the solemn tributes to Pope Francis lost their luster as a result. President Trump, who had previously maintained an adversarial relationship with Pope Francis, announced on the 21st that he would attend the funeral mass. Politico noted that from that point until the conclusion of the funeral mass, the Vatican was transformed from a stage for mourning the Pope into a diplomatic arena for world leaders.
World leaders made every effort behind the scenes to secure opportunities to meet President Trump during the funeral mass, and even as the casket containing Pope Francis's body was being carried, the media's attention was focused on President Trump's every move. Some reporters used high-powered telescopes, closely monitoring whether President Trump would encounter or converse with leaders of allied or adversarial nations.
All Eyes on President Trump's Every Move
The fact that a diplomatic battle unfolded even at a gathering meant to mourn the passing of Pope Francis is attributed to the Trump factor, which is sweeping across the global political landscape. Last month, President Trump imposed a minimum 10% reciprocal tariff on virtually all trading partners, while also allowing a 90-day grace period and opening the door for negotiations. He is also exerting pressure on Russia and Ukraine to halt the war and agree to a ceasefire. This means that the need for world leaders to meet President Trump directly and open channels for dialogue through 'top-down' negotiations is greater than ever.
On that day, meetings took place in various locations within the Vatican. President Trump shook hands with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Additionally, President Trump exchanged a handshake and brief conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and also engaged in light conversation with the Estonian and Finnish leaders seated nearby. Photo by Xinhua News Agency and Yonhap News Agency
In fact, meetings took place throughout the Vatican on this day. Before the funeral mass began, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were seen having a private, impromptu conversation in the middle of St. Peter's Basilica. President Zelensky described this as a potentially 'historic' meeting, saying that a path toward 'reliable and lasting peace' had been laid.
President Trump also shook hands with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Additionally, President Trump exchanged a handshake and brief conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and engaged in light conversation with the leaders of Estonia and Finland seated nearby. Furthermore, First Lady Melania Trump was seen meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The New York Times (NYT) pointed out, "For a new president's first overseas trip, it was a surprisingly quick return, and this did not give European leaders time to discuss the tariffs President Trump imposed on the European Union (EU)." Meanwhile, President Trump drew criticism for deviating from funeral protocol by wearing a blue suit adorned with an American flag pin. However, some interpret this breach of etiquette as carrying a kind of 'message.' NYT stated, "For someone like Trump, who is acutely aware of the power of appearance, such a choice of attire is unlikely to be accidental," adding that it "seemed perfectly aligned with his desire to stand out immediately and to show that he will follow no one's rules but his own."
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