At the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square on 26 April 2025, two high-profile guests immediately drew attention for their choice of clothing: U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain's Prince William.

According to established Vatican guidelines, male attendees are expected to wear a dark suit, black tie, and a black lapel button to papal funerals. Trump arrived in a bright blue suit and matching tie, while Prince William chose a very dark blue suit. Former U.S. President Joe Biden also wore a blue tie instead of the customary black.

Critics on social media quickly pointed out the apparent break from tradition. "Any reason why Donald Trump is in a blue suit and not wearing traditional black for a funeral?" one user posted on X, while others commented that Trump’s lighter blue shade made him stand out even more amid the sea of black-clad dignitaries.

Although many criticized the deviations on social media, some defended the leaders by pointing out that neither Trump nor Prince William are Catholic, and that other religions do not strictly mandate black funeral attire.

Similarly, Indian President Droupadi Murmu, a Hindu, was seen wearing blue at the ceremony. The Office of the President of India shared photos on X, captioned: “President Droupadi Murmu attended the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City.” Her attire aligned with Hindu traditions, where blue is often worn for solemn occasions.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, and Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s chief advisor, both chose to wear black despite their non-Catholic faiths, reflecting a broader diplomatic respect for Vatican customs.

Among those who followed the Vatican’s traditional dress code were Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, both clad in formal black attire. They joined other dignitaries in St. Peter’s Square to honor Pope Francis in keeping with Catholic mourning customs.