Vatican City — Worshippers and tourists at St. Peter’s Basilica were left in shock on Friday morning after a man urinated on one of the church’s most sacred altars in full view of the public.
The unidentified man reportedly climbed onto the Altar of Confession, located beneath Michelangelo’s magnificent dome and directly above the tomb of Saint Peter, before pulling down his trousers and urinating on the altar.
Eyewitnesses said the shocking incident happened around 9:00 a.m. during morning prayers. Security guards rushed to stop the man as horrified onlookers gasped.
“He climbed up so quickly — people thought at first he was a worker or pilgrim,” said one tourist. “Then suddenly he pulled down his pants. It was unbelievable. People were screaming.”
Two guards restrained the man and tried to remove him from the area, but as he was being dragged away, he bent down to pull up his trousers, exposing his bare backside to the crowd.
Though the Vatican has not yet released an official statement, sources close to the Holy See say Pope Leo XIV was “deeply shocked” and saddened by the desecration of such a sacred place.
“The Pope was visibly disturbed when he learned of what had happened,” one Vatican aide said. “He has asked that prayers of reparation be said at the altar.”
It is not yet clear whether the man has been formally arrested or charged, but Vatican police immediately detained him for questioning.
The Altar of Confession is one of the holiest sites in Catholicism. It stands directly above the tomb of Saint Peter, the first pope, and is traditionally used for major papal masses and ceremonies.
The altar sits beneath the St. Peter’s Baldachin, a stunning bronze canopy designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 1600s, symbolizing the unity of heaven and earth. Because of its significance, the site has occasionally drawn attention from protestors or unstable visitors seeking publicity.
Friday’s act is not the first time the Vatican’s main altar has been desecrated. In June 2023, a naked Polish man jumped onto the same altar during a service to protest the war in Ukraine.
He had the words “Save children in Ukraine” written on his back and appeared to have scratched his own skin. Vatican guards quickly covered him, removed him from the altar, and handed him over to Italian authorities.
After that incident, the Vatican performed a special rite of purification to restore the sanctity of the site.
Church insiders say a similar cleansing ritual may be held following this latest incident to rededicate the altar for worship.
“This is a house of prayer for the whole world,” a senior priest at the basilica said. “Such actions cause deep pain to the faithful, but forgiveness and renewal remain at the heart of our faith.”
The Vatican is expected to release an official statement in the coming days as investigations continue.
