• Source:JND
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A disturbing incident unfolded at Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, when an unidentified man climbed the steps of the sacred altar, traditionally used by the Pope for Holy Mass, and urinated on the holy grounds, according to Corriere della Sera. The act reportedly occurred during visiting hours, witnessed by hundreds of tourists. Videos captured by onlookers show the man bending down to pull up his jeans immediately after the act, prompting widespread shock and outrage online. 

Vatican security officers acted swiftly to contain the situation. According to Il Tempo, police quickly reached the man, escorted him out of the basilica, and detained him. It remains unclear whether the individual was formally arrested or charged. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni later commented to ANSA, describing the incident as, “an episode of a person with a serious mental disability who has been detained by the Vatican Police and then placed at the disposal of the Italian authorities.”

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Pope Leo XIV Reportedly Shocked

Though the Holy See Press Office has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, local reports indicated that Pope Leo XIV was “shocked” by the desecration. This is not the first time St. Peter’s Basilica has experienced such disruptions.

In February 2023, a man jumped up onto the altar and tossed six candelabras to the floor, and in June 2023, a Polish man protested by climbing onto the high altar with a message on the back of his shirt regarding Ukraine. The Vatican retorted to that event with a penitential rite.

Spiritual Significance Of Altar

Altar of Confession, the scene of the incident, is built right above the tomb of St. Peter and is of profound spiritual importance. Used for the Pope's masses and principal liturgical rites, it is one of the most revered areas of the basilica, which attracts millions of devotees every year from all corners of the globe. 

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Footage and images of the incident soon made the rounds on social media, where it showed the shocked expressions of tourists on seeing the man pee on the altar. Security personnel are reported to have responded quickly, cutting off further disturbance and maintaining the safety of both tourists and clergy.