Man disrupts St. Peter’s Basilica, climbs altar before security escort

A man was accused of urinating on the Altar of Confession in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, prompting a swift response from security personnel and attracting the attention of many visitors.

Security personnel and plainclothes police officers quickly intervened and escorted the man out of the church, according to multiple Italian news outlets. The incident took place in front of a large crowd and the footage was widely disseminated on the Internet.

Vatican officials did not immediately issue a statement, but some reports indicated that Pope Francis had been informed and was “shocked to learn the news.”

This incident is the latest in a series of disturbances at the basilica in recent years. In February, another person damaged ceremonial objects at the same altar, according to the report. Catholic News Agency.

MAN FACES HATE CRIME ALLEGATIONS WITH ‘OVER HUNDREDS’ EXPLOSIVES AND THREATS OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL AHEAD OF SCOTUS EVENT

“This is the case of a severely mentally disabled person who was detained by the Vatican Police and subsequently placed at the disposal of the Italian authorities,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. In a statement to ANSA.

A similar incident occurred in 2023, when a Polish man staged a protest near the altar, prompting the Vatican to later hold a penitential mass.

THE RECOVERIES OF HISTORY’S MOST BELOVED SAINT, ST FRANCIS OF ASSASI, WILL BE EXHIBITED AT A RARE EVENT

The man reportedly undressed and went up to the altar with the words “Save the children of Ukraine” written on his back.

“As officers of the Vatican Gendarmerie approached, the man did not resist but cooperated and took him to the police station in the Vatican,” Vatican News reported at the time. “Once his identity was verified, he was handed over to the Italian police and a deportation order was issued.”

LGBTQ CATHOLICS ST. OIL BASILICA AT JUBILEE RITE AS VATICAN CALENDAR ENTRY LOSES DEBATE

Meeting for the election of a new Pope in Rome St. Peter’s Basilica Holy Mass Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice photo Giovanni Battista Re (Stefano Carofei /IPA/Sipa/IMAGN)

Under Rules of Canon Law (Canon 1211)Serious actions committed in a sacred place that cause scandal among believers are considered a violation of the sanctity of the site. When this occurs, public worship is suspended until a penitential service can be performed to restore the sanctity of the church.

CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

According to the Bishop’s Ordinations, such rites (most often a Mass or the Sacrament of the Sacrament) should be performed as soon as possible after a desecration.

Stepheny Price covers crimes including missing persons, murders and immigration crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.