As people express shock at his ‘awkward’ position, the reason Trump is expected to sit in a ‘third-tier’ seat at Pope Francis’ funeral is revealed.
As world leaders and dignitaries gather for Pope Francis’ funeral on April 26, one detail capturing public attention is the seating arrangement for U.S. President Donald Trump.
Reports indicate that he is expected to be placed in a “third-tier” seat, a position that has sparked surprise and reactions.
Why Donald Trump will be seated in the third row at Pope Francis’ funeral
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 after battling double pneumonia, will be honored with a grand funeral service in Vatican City.
Heads of state from around the world, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Irish President Michael D. Higgins, have arrived in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.
However, Trump’s seating at the funeral has caught the attention of many.
Unlike traditional seating arrangements where importance usually dictates placement, the Vatican has taken a different approach.
It confirmed that guests will be seated according to the French alphabetical order.
This rule follows the French language convention, placing the United States, referred to as “États-Unis” in French, alongside countries starting with “E.” As a result, Trump is seated near countries like Ethiopia.
Vatican’s detailed seating plan for heads of state and dignitaries
As the funeral approaches, it has been revealed that the seating arrangement will not reflect the prominence of world leaders. Instead, it will follow an alphabetical structure.
This unique approach has led to some confusion, with Trump being positioned further from the front row.
However, this method applies universally to all attending dignitaries, regardless of their country or political standing.
While many are likely to focus on the seating layout, Vatican officials have emphasized that all heads of state will be seated fairly and orderly.
Argentina, the pope’s country of birth, and Italy will be given priority seating.
Cardinal Nichols speaks on the complexity of managing global leaders
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales, has weighed in on the intricate task of managing such a high-profile event.
In a recent interview, he noted the Vatican’s extensive experience in orchestrating large events.
He acknowledged their skill in handling sensitive issues and managing the egos of global leaders.
In an interview with the PA news agency in Rome, he said: “In the past, I’ve seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events.
“I think they’ve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome – that they know how to deal with big egos.”
“And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content.”
The seating arrangement at Pope Francis’ funeral is based on the French alphabetical order. This has drawn attention for placing Donald Trump in a “third-tier” seat.
This decision has surprised some, but it follows the Vatican’s long-standing tradition of handling such monumental events with care.
The Vatican has always emphasized precision in organizing these services.
As world leaders gather to honor the late pope, the focus will remain on the solemnity of the occasion. Seating arrangements, though noteworthy, are secondary to the gravity of the service.