A man disrupts St. Peter’s Basilica and climbs the altar before a security guard

A man was accused of urinating on the altar of confession in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, prompting a quick response from security personnel and drawing the attention of several visitors.

Security personnel and plainclothes police officers quickly intervened and escorted the man out of the church, according to several Italian media outlets. The incident occurred in full view of a large crowd, and the footage was widely circulated online.

Vatican officials A statement was not immediately issued, although some reports indicated that Pope Francis was informed and was “shocked to learn of the news.”

The episode is the latest in a A series of disturbances In the basilica in recent years. In February, another person destroyed ceremonial items on the same altar, according to The Verge. Catholic News Agency.

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Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said: “This is an incident of a person suffering from a serious mental disability who was arrested by the Vatican police and then placed at the disposal of the Italian authorities.” In a statement to ANSA.

A similar incident occurred in 2023, when a Polish man organized a protest near the altar, prompting the Vatican to hold a penitential ritual afterwards.

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The man reportedly took off his clothes, went up to the altar and wrote “Save the children of Ukraine” on his back.

“As Vatican gendarmerie officers approached, the man did not resist but cooperated as he was taken to the police station inside the Vatican,” Vatican News reported at the time. “After confirming his identity, he was handed over to the Italian police, who issued an expulsion order.”

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under Code of Canon Law (Canon 1211)Serious acts committed in a holy place that cause scandal to believers are considered a violation of the sanctity of the site. When this happens, public worship is suspended until penitential rites are performed to restore the sanctity of the church.

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According to bishops ceremonies, Such rituals—often a Mass or Requiem of the Word—should take place as soon as possible after the desecration.

Stephenie Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and immigrant crimes. Send story tips to [email protected].