Will Trump think his seat at the Pope’s funeral is a snub?
Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the funeral of Pope Francis tomorrow morning in St. Peter’s Basilica, but he is unlikely to find himself in a location he believes represents his status.
Although Trump was one of the first to confirm his attendance, reports suggest he will be seated in what some are calling a “third-tier” section.
For someone who has built a reputation on commanding the spotlight at major events, this seating choice could be seen as a subtle — intentional or not — snub.
Final preparations are in full swing at the Vatican, yet officials have remained tight-lipped about the official seating chart — leaving dignitaries and their entourages to speculate right up to the final moments.
Tradition, along with sources from The Telegraph, suggests that Catholic royalty will be granted front-row seats, with non-Catholic royals, including Prince William, following closely behind.
As final preparations unfold at the Vatican, officials are keeping the official seating chart under wraps, leaving dignitaries and their entourages to speculate until the very last moment.
According to tradition and sources from The Telegraph, Catholic royalty are expected to secure front-row seats, with non-Catholic royals like Prince William following in close succession.
It may prove challenging for Trump to overlook the optics of the situation. He has previously voiced his criticism of how American presidents are treated at major international events.
In particular, Trump mocked the seating arrangement at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, using it as evidence that the US has lost its international standing after President Joe Biden was placed in the fourteenth row.
Trump went as far as to claim that had he been in office, he would have secured a seat much closer to the front, suggesting that his stature — both as an individual and as a representative of the United States — would have demanded it.
However, Trump did not attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in person, as invitations were extended solely to current heads of state, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
In contrast, the Vatican’s invitation list is more inclusive this time, allowing former presidents like Trump to attend. However, at an institution as steeped in tradition and ritual as the Vatican, customs and protocols often outweigh personal preferences.
Seating arrangements are determined more by historical, religious, and diplomatic factors than by celebrity status or domestic political influence. With 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs confirmed to attend, the stakes for precedence are high.
It remains to be seen whether Trump will publicly voice his displeasure if he feels slighted, but his history suggests he doesn’t keep such feelings to himself for long.
As he steps into the solemn atmosphere of one of the most significant religious funerals of modern times, all eyes — including his own — will likely be fixed not only on the rituals but also on the exact seat he occupies.
