Donald Trump’s seating arrangement at Pope Francis’ funeral on April 28 sparked controversy. Initially expected to be assigned a “third-tier” seat, Trump ended up in a different location. Media reports suggested he would sit between the leaders of Finland and Estonia, following the usual alphabetical order in French for world leaders. However, Trump managed to secure a front-row seat, despite the anticipation.
The seating plan was influenced by diplomatic sensitivities and “big egos,” as noted by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Trump had previously voiced frustration over being placed in the 14th row during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, claiming that had he been president, he would have been treated differently.
Trump’s attire also attracted attention. Instead of the traditional black, he wore a blue suit, which some saw as disrespectful. Critics on social media expressed their disappointment, calling it a sign of disrespect to the Pope and to the U.S.
