Overview
- Israeli writer Michal Govrin and professor Vivian Liska report that a guard hissed “les juifs” and made a spitting gesture toward them at a side entrance to St. Peter’s Square.
- Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni says a preliminary reconstruction points to a disagreement over taking photos at a guard post as the immediate trigger.
- Swiss Guard spokesperson Cpl. Eliah Cinotti confirms an internal investigation described as standard procedure and reiterates that the corps rejects all forms of antisemitism.
- The encounter occurred during a papal audience marking the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate, where Pope Leo XIV publicly condemned antisemitism.
- Liska says she was told CCTV footage could not determine what was said, and authorities have announced no findings or disciplinary decisions to date.