Overview

• Witnesses and tourists saw a man bypass controls, climb the Altar of the Confession and briefly expose himself before urinating.
• Plainclothes Vatican gendarmes intervened within moments and escorted him out, with some reports saying he was arrested and questioned.
• The area around the papal altar was cordoned off for cleaning and inspection after the disturbance.
• Visitor videos circulated widely on social media and drew broad outrage as the Holy See’s press office offered no public statement.
• The incident follows earlier breaches at the same altar in February 2025 and June 2023, intensifying scrutiny of security at the basilica.