Visitors to St Peter’s Basilica were left horrified on Friday morning after a man urinated on one of the Vatican’s most sacred altars during Holy Mass, in full view of hundreds of worshippers.
According to Corriere della Sera, the unidentified man climbed the steps of the Altar of Confession - where the pope traditionally celebrates Mass - before dropping his trousers and urinating over the holy site.
The incident unfolded during the 9am Holy Mass, leaving those present “absolutely shocked and disgusted,” as stunned tourists looked on while security rushed to restrain him. Witnesses said the man exposed himself again while being escorted away, after bending down to pull up his jeans.
Clips of the desecration, filmed by visitors, have since gone viral online.
“That is absolutely shocking and deeply disrespectful,” one viewer commented. “This is vile,” another wrote. A third person said, “There is definitely not enough security here.”
The Vatican has yet to issue an official statement on the episode. However, local media reports claimed that Pope Leo XIV was “shocked” when informed of the incident. Authorities have not confirmed whether the man has been arrested or charged.
The Altar of Confession, located beneath Michelangelo’s dome, is among the holiest spaces in Catholicism. It’s the same site where Pope Francis was laid for public viewing before his funeral in April.
The altar has faced several security breaches in recent years. In February, a man reportedly climbed onto the same altar and knocked down six candelabras. In June 2023, a naked Polish man jumped onto the altar during Mass with the words “Save children of Ukraine” written on his back.
Following that incident, the Vatican held a penitential rite to restore sanctity to the site, as required by canon law.
Friday’s episode has renewed questions about security inside St Peter’s Basilica, one of the world’s most visited religious landmarks, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists every year.
According to Corriere della Sera, the unidentified man climbed the steps of the Altar of Confession - where the pope traditionally celebrates Mass - before dropping his trousers and urinating over the holy site.
The incident unfolded during the 9am Holy Mass, leaving those present “absolutely shocked and disgusted,” as stunned tourists looked on while security rushed to restrain him. Witnesses said the man exposed himself again while being escorted away, after bending down to pull up his jeans.
Clips of the desecration, filmed by visitors, have since gone viral online.
VATICAN CITY—CONFIRMED that a man desecrated the Papal Altar of St Peter’s Basilica, at 9:30AM yesterday morning, by urinating on it in the presence of hundreds of pilgrims.
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) October 11, 2025
Holy Mass was being celebrated, at the time, at the Altar of the Chair.
pic.twitter.com/CEQpiI4xOd
“That is absolutely shocking and deeply disrespectful,” one viewer commented. “This is vile,” another wrote. A third person said, “There is definitely not enough security here.”
The Vatican has yet to issue an official statement on the episode. However, local media reports claimed that Pope Leo XIV was “shocked” when informed of the incident. Authorities have not confirmed whether the man has been arrested or charged.
The Altar of Confession, located beneath Michelangelo’s dome, is among the holiest spaces in Catholicism. It’s the same site where Pope Francis was laid for public viewing before his funeral in April.
The altar has faced several security breaches in recent years. In February, a man reportedly climbed onto the same altar and knocked down six candelabras. In June 2023, a naked Polish man jumped onto the altar during Mass with the words “Save children of Ukraine” written on his back.
Following that incident, the Vatican held a penitential rite to restore sanctity to the site, as required by canon law.
Friday’s episode has renewed questions about security inside St Peter’s Basilica, one of the world’s most visited religious landmarks, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists every year.
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