Donald Trump was one of the first to announce that he will be attending Pope Francis’ burial mass, but it is anticipated that he will have a “third-tier seat.” Trump, who usually takes centre stage at international gatherings, is not likely to be seated in a prominent spot when he gets to St. Peter’s Basilica tomorrow morning. The official seating plan has not yet been made public, and the Vatican is finalising arrangements for the pontiff’s burial.
The custom dictates that Catholic royalty will be given preference for front-row seats, even though many of the 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs will be there. It is probable that foreign dignitaries will be seated in sizable blocks on one side of the casket, opposite the bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and patriarchs. The front rows will be occupied by Catholic royals, with Prince William and other non-Catholic royals following. Heads of state, world leaders, and other international dignitaries will then take their seats behind them.
The seating arrangements, however, are unlikely to delight Trump, particularly considering that three years ago, he made fun of his predecessor Joe Biden for being forced to sit in the back for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. If Biden had been president, he would have been seated nearer the front of the 2,000 mourners, he said, pointing out that his 14th-row seat demonstrated that there was “no respect” for the US anymore. Since invitations were restricted to current leaders of state, Trump did not attend the ceremony honouring Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Trump, who is renowned for wanting to be at the forefront of international issues, finds the idea of a “third-tier seat” to be a surprising development. It stands in stark contrast to his earlier complaints about the seating arrangements at important international gatherings. Trump notoriously accused U.S. President Joe Biden of showing disrespect for the United States by sitting in the 14th row at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral three years ago. His remarks generated discussion about the diplomatic value of seating arrangements and the relevance of these gestures during high-profile official functions.
Trump’s attack on Biden’s stance sparked controversy because state funeral seating arrangements frequently adhere to rigid procedures, allocating seats according to a number of criteria, including the person’s place in the present international political system. The fact that Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral despite not being a world leader at the moment raises concerns about his role as a former president and the degree to which his position still allows him to hold prominent positions at important international gatherings. But since Trump is not the present head of state and has no official title, his appointment might be decided more by convention than by personal desire.
The peculiarity of Trump’s attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral is highlighted by his absence from Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. At religious gatherings when the clergy and nobility are the main attraction, previous leaders like Trump are frequently seated further down the seating hierarchy than monarchs or heads of state. Trump may not be the head of state right now, but his attendance at this gathering shows how relevant he is to the political discourse worldwide. He is, however, bound by the customs that regulate such events because he was once a leader.
Trump has already complained about how he was treated at such gatherings, so it’s possible that he’s not quite happy with his seat assignment during the Pope’s funeral. Trump, who is accustomed to being in the centre of attention, could object to being placed in a supporting role. Nonetheless, centuries-old customs and diplomatic considerations underpin the Vatican’s seating arrangements, which are unlikely to be influenced by the desires of any one guest.
Furthermore, the solemnity of the event—rather than any one person’s seating arrangement—will surely be the main emphasis of the funeral. Whatever personal complaints there may be about seats will be subordinated to the moment of global sadness and reflection when world leaders, dignitaries, and religious leaders assemble to honour Pope Francis.
Pope Francis’ funeral seating arrangements are significant, but they also speak to the larger dynamics of global diplomacy and the functioning of contemporary state funerals. State funerals, in contrast to many private or unofficial ceremonies, are extremely organised affairs with meticulous attention to detail, including seating arrangements, to ensure appropriate hierarchy and respect. Given this, Trump’s anticipated “third-tier seat” serves as a reminder that, even for well-known politicians, sitting arrangements at significant international gatherings are frequently determined by custom and diplomacy. It may be a humbling experience for Trump, who has frequently pursued attention, to be seated farther away from the action, but it is unlikely to overshadow the event’s greater goal.
As the burial for Pope Francis approaches, religious leaders, dignitaries, and royals will gather around the globe to celebrate the life of one of the most significant popes in history. In the overall context of the event, Donald Trump’s seating arrangement is probably going to be less important than his anticipated attendance. But for the former president, this might be a reminder of the strict rules that govern international diplomacy—and a change from his typical position in the centre of the stage. As with other state funerals, the major emphasis will ultimately be on the solemnity of the event rather than on any particular person’s seat.
