Donald Trump said he wants to become the next Pope…
When asked on Tuesday who he believes should succeed Pope Francis following his passing on April 21, the U.S. President lightheartedly claimed he was the perfect candidate for the role. However, he quickly clarified that he didn’t actually have a preference, though he did mention a cardinal he thought would do well in the position.
It seemed that he was alluding to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the only American among the papal contenders. Dolan, a prominent conservative figure, has previously voiced strong opposition to contraception and criticized the removal of statues honoring controversial figures during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
While it’s unlikely the President will be donning a papal mitre anytime soon, his presence at Pope Francis’s funeral certainly turned heads. Wearing a blue suit instead of the traditional black, some suggested he was violating dress code norms, with one observer quipping, “Perhaps Zelenskyy should ask him why he hasn’t dressed more appropriately.”
Despite the critiques, many defended the President’s choice, pointing out that other high-profile guests, including Prince William, also wore blue or navy. It’s been speculated that Trump, as a non-denominational Christian, may have chosen blue to reflect his faith, especially considering that Catholics have more rigid guidelines for funeral attire, while other religions allow more flexibility.
Sky News reported that the funeral’s dress code required men to wear a dark suit with a black tie, along with a matching button on the left lapel, reserved for Vatican honors.
However, Trump’s actions at the service sparked even more controversy. He was spotted chewing gum and texting during the ceremony, which didn’t go unnoticed. One user criticized him, writing, “Texting from the front row at a funeral… the ultimate disrespect and rudeness from the President of the United States.” Another commenter added, “Such a douchebag. Wearing blue, not black. On his phone at the Pope’s funeral. I’m an atheist, but even I show respect for the dead.”
Initial reports from MSNBC indicated that the U.S. President was expected to be seated in the third row, as guests were arranged alphabetically according to the French alphabet.
Vatican protocol traditionally places Catholic royalty in the front row, followed by non-Catholic royalty, and then world leaders. However, Trump was unexpectedly spotted in the front row, leaving some observers puzzled. Sources later revealed that the seating arrangement took into account not only protocol but also the complex and sometimes “tricky” diplomatic relationships between global leaders.
Catherine Pepinster, a Catholic Church commentator, offered insight, explaining that the Holy See maintains diplomatic ties with countries like Russia and Iran, which can lead to unusual encounters between world leaders who might not otherwise meet. “One of the interesting aspects of a ceremony such as this is that the Holy See has diplomatic relations with countries such as Russia and Iran, which may mean that world leaders who would not usually meet, would encounter one another in Rome,” Pepinster explained to The Telegraph.
Adding to the drama, several leaders were seen taking photos during the service, an act that many observers deemed “disrespectful.”
Online, the reaction was swift and critical. One person wrote, “They should be ashamed,” while another commented, “Taking pictures of the dead is morbid.” A third user raged, “Who the hell takes photos at a funeral, never mind world leaders? Outrageous. Electronic devices should have been banned.”
The cameras also captured a brief conversation between Trump and Melania, sparking further intrigue. Lip reader Nicola Hickling from Lip Reader Limited claimed to have deciphered their exchange, revealing what was allegedly said during the moment.
During the service, attendees were invited to turn to those closest to them and exchange handshakes as a “sign of peace.” According to reports, Melania allegedly nudged Trump, saying, “You should go do it,” to which he responded, “Oh, alright.” The 78-year-old then turned to shake hands with President of Finland Alexander Stubb and President of France Emmanuel Macron.
The Trumps have faced backlash in the past for a post about the Pope. Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” This choice of words left many online shocked, with some questioning how one could “look forward” to attending a funeral.
One person wrote, “Who looks forward to going to a funeral? What a vile thing to say,” while another added, “Nobody looks forward to going to a funeral. Funerals are somber, depressing occasions where people cry and tell stories about the deceased.”
