Donald Trump slammed for 'disrespectful' choice at Pope's funeral next to Melania Donald Trump has been accused of showing 'disrespect' to the late Pope at a funeral service which was attended by more than 150 world leaders US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at The Vatican (Image: AFP via Getty Images ) Donald Trump has provoked a strong reaction from many observing today's funeral of Pope Francis, with critics on social media labelling the former US President "disrespectful". The Vatican issues an open invitation to all world leaders who are allowed to attend the pope's funeral. Trump was in Rome among global dignitaries, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William, to honour the late pontiff. Despite an outpouring of reverence from mourners who visited the Pope's lying in state, Trump's sartorial choice drew condemnation for its perceived lack of respect. ‌ While the majority, including Melania Trump, donned traditional black attire, the president opted for a blue suit. This prompted comments online, one individual asked: "Why isn't Trump wearing a black suit? Such disrespect." Article continues below Another remark on platform X said: "Respect? He's not even wearing a black suit. At least Melania is attending the funeral in all black including a modest black veil." Others chimed in with similar criticisms: "Who wears a blue suit to a funeral?" and "What is it with Trump that he did not even have the decency to wear a black tie, never mind he wore a blue suit", reports the Mirror. Further discontent was evident as another user said: "Trump, wearing a blue suit. No class, whatsoever." ‌ US President Donald Trump (C) and First Lady Melania Trump (C/R) stand alongside leaders including France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Finland's President Alexander Stubb (2L) as they attend the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican (Image: AFP via Getty Images ) The ceremonial events began at 10am local time (9am BST) and are expected to continue for several hours, well into the early afternoon. Hosted in St Peter's Basilica, the service was to be followed by a procession escorting the late Pontiff's body to St Mary Major, a basilica at the heart of Rome often frequented by him during his lifetime. Pope Francis's outspoken stance on a number of social, global and political issues occasionally placed him in opposition to world leaders leaders - some of whom will be at the funeral. The pontiff, who died aged 88 on Monday, notably battled Trump for nearly a decade over the issue of migration. ‌ In 2016 Pope Francis criticised Trump's proposal to build a wall on the US-Mexico border, saying a person "who thinks only about building walls" and "not building bridges, is not Christian". Donald Trump pays his respects to Pope Francis Trump hit back, saying: "For a religious leader to question a person's faith is disgraceful." In February this year, Pope Francis described Trump's mass deportations as a "major crisis". ‌ Trump ordered that all federal and state flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the late pontiff, following his death. He called Pope Francis "a very good man" who "loved the world" and "he especially loved people that were having a hard time". Pope Francis was known as 'the people's Pope' because of his outspoken stance on a number of political and social issues - and his long-standing record of breaking with tradition will continue with the arrangements for his funeral today. The pontiff's body has been lying in state since Wednesday at St. Peter's Basilica, where tens of thousands of people have queued to pay their respects. Article continues below Pope Francis asked for his tomb to be in the ground, bearing only the name 'Franciscus' - the full Latin version of his chosen name. That is also a departure from other popes whose tombs include an inscription honouring their papacy. Unlike his predecessors, who were buried in three nested coffins — one made of cypress, one made of lead, and one made of elm — the humble pontiff chose to be buried in a simple wooden coffin, which world leaders have filed past this morning to pay their respects. That change came as part of recently updated funeral planning for pontiffs, which was approved by Pope Francis and also stated that the public would be able to view the pope's body in an open coffin.