Donald Trump Wears Blue to Pope Francis’ Funeral. Did He Break Vatican Protocol?

• Donald Trump wore a blue suit and tie to Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26, prompting online critics to call him disrespectful
• However, a Vatican source tells PEOPLE, “Attendees wore what they considered to be appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion”
• Other world leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden, also drew criticism for their attire at the papal funeral, while others, like Prince William and First Lady Melania Trump, escaped backlash

Donald Trump is drawing criticism online for wearing a blue suit to Pope Francis’ funeral. But did he actually break Vatican protocol?

Alongside First Lady Melania Trump, the president, 78, attended the pontiff’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, and, after photos and footage of the ceremony emerged, he quickly became the subject of backlash online for his choice of attire: a blue suit.

One viral X post referred to him as “an embarrassment” for his choice, while another called him disrespectful. “He always has to stick out and try and be the center of attention,” the latter post read.

In a midnight-blue suit, matching tie and American flag pin, Trump did, in fact, stand out from many of the world leaders gathered in Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square for the funeral, particularly in the front row — but he was not the only one.

Though the president was in the minority in his blue ensemble, several other attendees also wore suits in colors other than black, as well as ties in bold shades of blue, red, pink and more.

Despite the online backlash, however, Trump and the rest of the colorfully dressed crowd were not necessarily breaking protocol. The Vatican does not list a funeral dress code on its website, and an insider tells PEOPLE that attire for the April 26 ceremony was left up to the individual.

“Attendees wore what they considered to be appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion,” a Vatican source says.

Still, guests who donned non-black formalwear spawned criticism similar to Trump’s.

Both Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden were also accused of being disrespectful online for wearing no tie and a blue tie, respectively.

Others, like Prince William, escaped criticism, despite wearing a navy suit to the ceremony.

Trump first announced that he and Melania, 55, planned to attend Pope Francis’ funeral shortly after the head of the Catholic Church died in the early morning of Monday, April 21 at age 88.

“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome,” Trump wrote in an April 21 Truth Social post. “We look forward to being there!”

Before confirming his plans to attend the funeral services, Trump also posted on Truth Social, “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”