On the morning of October 10, visitors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City witnessed a shocking act of sacrilege when a man urinated on the Altar of Confession, one of the most revered sites in Catholicism, right before the eyes of hundreds of tourists and worshippers.
As reported by Corriere della Sera, the individual bypassed the security barriers surrounding the sacred altar and ascended the steps at approximately 9:30 a.m. before carrying out the offensive act. Disturbing video footage shared widely on social media captures the man with his pants down, relieving himself on the altar, which is believed to be situated directly above the tomb of Saint Peter, the foremost apostle of Jesus Christ.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as profoundly unsettling; some turned away in shock while others remained frozen in disbelief. Plainclothes officers quickly intervened, apprehending the man on site. Before his arrest, the suspect reportedly made an obscene gesture toward the crowd gathered.
News of the incident reached Pope Leo XIV, who was reportedly “deeply disturbed” by the desecration. The Lepanto Institute, an organization committed to protecting Catholic holy sites, has urged that the altar undergo a formal reconsecration to restore its sanctity after this serious violation.
The video has ignited a wave of condemnation online, with many devout Catholics expressing both anger and grief. Some commentators on social media suggested that the Vatican’s status as a major tourist destination, welcoming millions annually, might be eroding the respect traditionally accorded to sacred spaces.
One social media user remarked, “Is the disrespect allowed because we no longer uphold standards of reverence ourselves? Perhaps it’s time to reconsider turning cathedrals into mere tourist spots and enforce stricter behavioral guidelines.”
This incident is not isolated. In 2023, a man, unclothed and bearing the message “Save children of Ukraine” painted on his back, also disrupted the same altar. Earlier this year, another individual was detained for vandalizing the site and damaging priceless candelabras.
Authorities in the Vatican have yet to disclose the identity of the suspect, but Italian police have confirmed that a formal investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, St. Peter’s Basilica has been temporarily closed to allow for thorough cleaning and a review of security measures.
Watch the video below for more details.
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.
Holy Mass was being celebrated, at the time, at the Altar of the Chair.
– Bree A Dail (@breeadail) October 11, 2025
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