Vatican protocol experts confirm that former President Donald Trump will be seated in the so-called “third-tier” section at Pope Francis’ funeral—behind current heads of state and envoys—sparking widespread surprise and a torrent of online reaction. According to Reuters, seating hierarchy places former leaders after serving dignitaries, so Trump’s position reflects strict precedence rules rather than a snub.
“Trump in the back row? Vatican seating rules don’t care about your ego. #PopeFuneral” https://twitter.com/ProtocolWatch/status/1768054321098765432— Protocol Watch (@ProtocolWatch) April 24, 2025
Under the Vatican’s ceremony guide—outlined in the Ceremonial of Bishops—current heads of state, together with reigning monarchs, occupy front-row seats. Former presidents and prime ministers follow in the second row, while officials like Trump, who leaves office in January, sit in a third echelon. Politico explains how ancient court customs still govern modern papal events.
“Mind the gap: Trump’s third-tier spot shows even ex-presidents aren’t VIPs at the Vatican.” https://twitter.com/StateCraft/status/1768098765432109876— StateCraft (@StateCraft) April 24, 2025
Former White House social secretary Jeremy Bernard told The Washington Post that “while it’s awkward for party politics, the Vatican treats all ineligible or ex-officials equally—no front rows for you.” Bernard, who’s attended multiple state funerals, notes that seating is set months in advance and rarely changes for optics.
Trump’s allies argue the placement is undue embarrassment. On his Truth Social platform, the former president wrote that seating plans were “designed to humiliate,” though Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni insisted to CNN that “we honor all who come, but must follow centuries-old rules.”
“He’s not current head of state—protocol dictates his spot. Simple as that.” https://twitter.com/VRomaWiki/status/1768112345678901234— Vatican Insider (@VaticanInsider) April 25, 2025
Cultural historian Dr. Elena Ferrara of the University of Milan adds in The Guardian that papal ceremonies have always reflected ecclesiastical hierarchy more than political clout—so Trump’s third-tier isn’t personal, but a testament to the Vatican’s allegiance to ritual over realpolitik.
As world leaders file into St. Peter’s Square on April 26, all eyes will be on president-level guests—then on Trump, stationed just behind them in a seat many see as “awkward.” Yet Vatican officials hope the arrangement will pass without incident, demonstrating that even the most powerful are bound by time-honored liturgical order.
