Donald Trump stirred controversy at Pope Francis’ funeral on April 28, despite securing a front-row seat after initial reports suggested he would be seated in a ‘third-tier’ section. The Vatican’s seating plan was expected to prioritize Catholic royalty, non-Catholic royals, and world leaders alphabetically in French, placing Trump between Estonia and Finland’s leaders.

However, political tensions and “big egos” influenced adjustments, according to Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Trump, dressed in a blue suit instead of traditional black mourning attire, quickly faced backlash online.

“Trump the only world leader without the respect to wear black at Pope Francis’ funeral. He’s a disgrace to America and the world. God bless Pope Francis,” one Twitter user criticized. Another added, “Look at our tone deaf, idiot President Trump wearing blue at Pope Francis’ funeral.”

Trump had previously complained about funeral seating when Joe Biden was placed far back during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, saying: “No respect […] If I were president, they wouldn’t have sat me back there.”