At Pope Francis’ burial on April 26, Donald Trump stood out among the masses of dignitaries wearing largely black outfits by wearing a brilliant blue suit. Online users criticized the President for being “so disrespectful” when he disregarded the Vatican’s regulations for a revered papal funeral, but there may have been a valid reason why he decided to “stand out” from the crowd.

In February, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Donald Trump and JD Vance at the White House, he was greeted by the president who scoffed: “You’re all dressed up!”

Trump disapproved of Zelenskyy’s wardrobe, which included a black military suit for his meeting.

However, Zelenskyy largely complied with Vatican regulations and wore a more formal, tailored all-black outfit than he wore to Washington, D.C., at Pope Francis’s open-air funeral on April 26, where world leaders, dignitaries, and hordes of devoted followers gathered to pay their respects to the spiritual leader who passed away on April 21.

This time, the unsuitable attire was that of the U.S. President.

Dress code

According to SkyNews, the dress code for a papal funeral “requires men to wear a dark suit with a long black tie and a button of the same colour on the left lapel of the jacket, where only Vatican honours can be placed. They are allowed to wear white shirts.”

Melania adhered to Vatican etiquette and showed up in a traditional black attire, even on her 55th birthday, whereas Trump donned a white shirt underneath a bright blue suit and a light blue tie.

Both Prince William, representing King Charles III, and former President Joe Biden wore traditional dark blue suits that closely matched the Vatican’s requirements.

“One guy shows up in a blue suit to the Pope’s funeral. You will never guess who,” American criminal defence attorney and former state and federal prosecutor Ron Filipkowski tweeted.

“Can you believe Trump wore a blue suit and was so disrespectful at the Pope’s funeral? He makes everything all about him!” shared a second.

Referring to Zelenskyy’s February visit to the White House, actor Billy Baldwin offered his thoughts on Trump’s choice of fashion: “What’s worse? Zelenskyy not wearing a suit in the Oval Office…Or Trump, in a heavy drool… wearing a blue suit at the funeral of Pope Francis?”

A fourth netizen writes, “Donald Trump couldn’t even be respectful and wear a black suit to Pope Francis’ funeral like the rest of world leaders. He always has to stick out and try and be the center of attention.”

Not everyone, however, attacked the US president.

One suggested his blue suit signaled “rebirth, sovereignty, authority.” “Every world leader in black. Trump alone in blue. This was not just a funeral. It was a transition of power,” shares one netizen.

Another adds, “Trump should had worn a white suit, just to really make a lasting impression.”

Why he wore blue

Not all religions have the same standards for funeral dress, while Catholics usually adhere to rigid customs.

That could be why Prince William of the Church of England, Trump, a non-denominational Christian, and President Murmu, a Hindu, were all spotted wearing blue rather than black. Instead of being a rupture in respect, their clothing choices might have been a subliminal indication of their non-Catholic upbringing.

Regardless of whether it was a premeditated move, a decision based on religion, or just a personal preference, one thing is certain: he once again got people talking.