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Man Detained After Urinating on St. Peter’s Basilica’s Main Altar During Mass

The Holy See says the suspect has a serious mental disability, with custody transferred to Italian authorities.

A picture shows the newly renovated baldachin, a large Baroque sculpted bronze canopy over the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica, during a mass concluding the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at St Peter's basilica in The Vatican, on October 27, 2024. The baldachin marks the place of the Tomb of the Apostle Peter to whom the Basilica of St. Peter is dedicated. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The act occurred Friday during a morning Mass at the Altar of Confession, which stands above the tomb of Saint Peter.
  • Security personnel and Vatican Gendarmerie intervened within moments and escorted the man from the basilica.
  • Videos recorded by visitors show the incident and circulated widely online soon after.
  • Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed detention by Vatican Police and the handover to Italian authorities.
  • Officials have not said whether criminal charges will follow, and the episode echoes earlier disruptions at the same altar in 2025 and 2023.