A man urinated on the Altar of Confession at St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday before being taken away by security officers at the famous basilica, according to news reports.
The man went up to the altar and “urinated under the astonished gaze of hundreds of tourists,” according to the Rome edition of the newspaper Corriere della Sera. Video of the desecration was widely shared on social media.
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Time reported that the man “was immediately overtaken by plainclothes police officers present at the basilica” and was escorted out of the church.
The latter newspaper stated that Pope Leo XIV was “shocked to hear the news,” although the Holy See Press Office had not published a statement about the incident until October 11.
It is not the first time this year that a vandal attacks the altar from which the Pope celebrates Mass.
In February, a man desecrated the altar by climbing on it and throwing six candelabras that were on the altar to the ground.
In June 2023, a Polish man approached the main altar as the basilica was about to close, stripped naked, and climbed onto the altar. Photos posted online showed the words “Save the Children of Ukraine” written in marker on his back. The Vatican performed a penitential rite after that act of desecration.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne is senior editor at Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.