Several world leaders such as Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, and Joe Biden, were frowned upon regarding the outfits they chose to wear to Pope Francis’ funeral.
The publicized event at Vatican City informed the men attending that they were required to wear a dark suit with a long black tie and white shirt. Shoes, long socks, coats, and umbrellas also needed to be black.
Highlights
- World leaders were criticized for breaking dress code policies at Pope Francis' funeral.
- Critics questioned the focus on attire over the Pope's commemoration.
- Pope Francis had always advocated peace and reason amid recent global conflicts.
However, Zelensky did not wear a tie while Biden opted for a blue one. The president of the United States came in a blue suit and a blue tie, adorning the set with a pin of the American flag.
A few world leaders deviated from dress code while attending Pope Francis' funeral this Saturday, April 26
Image credits: Dan Kitwood / Getty
All three have been labeled “disrespectful” by those online, seeing as many of the gathered mourners followed the dress code down to the exact color.
One person named Alison Graham asked, “Why is Trump the only male world leader who is wearing a blue suit? Has he no sense of appropriacy? Shame on him.”
Another user frowned, “Did he not have a black suit? At least a dark blue one? Where is the respect?”
Image credits: NurPhoto / Getty
Image credits: Marco Ravagli / Getty
A netizen additionally pointed out Trump wasn’t alone in breaking the dress code.
“[Prince William] was indeed in a dark blue suit, coupled with a black tie,” someone wrote. “Joe Biden, presumably in a personal capacity but still a former president, also wore a blue suit and his tie was almost sky blue,” before adding that Trump “wasn’t the only one to ‘break conventions.’”
When it came to the women, there were also a few notable deviations from tradition.
Men were required to wear a dark suit, black tie, and a white shirt underneath
Image credits: Europa Press News / Getty
French First Lady Brigitte Macron had also attended without wearing a head covering, while other women covered their head with black veils.
As per Daily Mail, women were asked to wear long black dresses, gloves, a veil, and black, closed-toe shoes. A string of pearls were allowed as jewelry.
Patriarchs and Cardinals needed to wear their white damask mitres while archbishops and bishops were required to wear their amice, surplice, cincture, and red stole.
Image credits: Europa Press News / Getty
But many others found it strange that there was so much scrutiny around what outfits the world leaders were wearing when it was a ceremony dedicated for the Pope.
“The Pope wouldn’t have cared what he wore,” one person claimed.
A second questioned, “Why the obsession with dress code. You are there to mourn…”
Image credits: NurPhoto / Getty
The outlet had also noted that while many people in the front row, such as Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, broke out into applause as the Pope’s wooden casket was carried back towards St Peter’s Basilica, those further back could be seen holding their devices.
A few of those snapping photos or filming the moment included Switzerland’s president Karin Keller-Sutter and Deputy Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Tomas Tayebwa, who had tweeted a picture of the coffin being moved away.
Pope Francis passed away from a stroke and cardiac arrest on Easter Monday, April 21, causing the rest of the world to pour in heartfelt tributes.
A few people were also seen pulling out their phones as the Pope's casket was carried away
Image credits: Marco Ravagli / Getty
As he was laid to his final resting place in Rome, thousands showed up to honor the Argentinian pontiff, with the event officiated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
“Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace and calling for reason and honest negotiation to find possible solutions,” he said.
Image credits: Marco Ravagli / Getty
“His gesture and exhortation in favour of refugees and displaced people are countless,” adding that the Pope was known as someone who bore an “open heart towards everyone.”
The decision to lay him to rest at St Mary Major Basilia rather than St Peter’s had “deep personal significance to Pope Francis and the Jesuit faith,” according to a reporter from Aljazeera.
Many people said the dress code was the last thing to worry about during the ceremony
