On Friday, during Holy Mass, a man shocked onlookers by urinating on a Vatican altar in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to local sources.
The man, whose identity remains unknown, made his way up to the Confessional Altar—the spot where the pope usually officiates Mass—and quickly dropped his pants. This happened right in front of hundreds of tourists and worshippers.
Witnesses could only watch in disbelief as police swiftly intervened, pulling him away from the altar.
Before being apprehended, he bent down to adjust his jeans, turning to the crowd in a surprising manner. Some nearby captured the moment on video.
It’s not clear if the pope was leading the Mass, which began at 9 a.m., and reports indicate that even Pope Leo XIV was made aware of the incident and found it shocking.
As of now, the Holy See’s Press Office hasn’t released any official statement about the incident. There are also no updates regarding whether the man faced any charges or was arrested.
St. Peter’s Basilica is renowned as one of the holiest places in the city and serves as a central location for the Roman Catholic Church. It has seen significant events, including the public viewing of Pope Francis before his funeral this past April.
However, due to its prominence, the altar has been a target for disturbances in the past. In February, another man climbed the altar and knocked over six menorahs. More recently, in June 2023, a naked man jumped onto the same altar with the phrase “Save Ukraine’s children” written on his back.
This incident led to a confessional ceremony aimed at purifying the sacred space.
