An act of apparent desecration has sent shockwaves through Vatican City after a man was filmed urinating on the Altar of Confession at St. Peter’s Basilica during a morning mass. The incident, which took place around 9 am on Friday, saw the unidentified man ascend the steps of the sacred altar, drop his pants, and relieve himself in full view of horrified tourists and worshippers.
Eyewitness videos circulating online show the man pulling up his jeans after the act. Responding quickly, police officers present at the basilica intervened, apprehending the individual and escorting him out. The man’s current custody status and any potential charges remain unclear.
The shocking event has been widely condemned as a severe desecration of one of Christianity’s most revered spaces. While the Holy See Press Office has yet to release an official statement, reports indicate that Pope Leo XIV was informed of the incident and expressed his dismay.
St. Peter’s Basilica, a major site of Christian pilgrimage, attracts millions of visitors annually. The Altar of Confession, located above St. Peter’s tomb, holds profound spiritual significance, particularly as it is reserved for papal masses and key liturgical ceremonies. This is not the first time the basilica has witnessed such disruptive behavior; previously, a man climbed the altar and smashed candelabras, and another instance involved a Polish man stripping naked on the altar with a message of protest.