Man ‘Urinates’ On Sacred Vatican Altar In Front Of Hundreds Of Horrified Tourists

On Friday morning, October 10, visitors to St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City were appalled when a man urinated on the Altar of Confession, a profoundly sacred site in Catholicism, in plain sight of numerous worshippers and tourists.

According to Corriere della Sera, the individual bypassed the turnstiles encircling the holy area and ascended the steps to the altar around 9:30 a.m. before performing the act. Disturbing video footage shared on social media captures the suspect with his pants down, urinating on the altar thought to be positioned directly over the tomb of Saint Peter, the primary disciple of Jesus Christ.

Onlookers described the incident as profoundly unsettling, with some turning away in shock while others watched in disbelief. Plainclothes officers quickly stepped in, apprehending the man at the scene. Reports state that before being taken into custody, the individual made a vulgar gesture toward the onlookers.

Sources indicate that Pope Leo XIV was notified of the desecration and was reportedly “shocked” by the event. The Lepanto Institute, an organization focused on protecting Catholic sanctuaries, has since demanded that the altar be “reconsecrated” following what it called a serious act of desecration.

The video has triggered widespread anger online, with many devout Catholics voicing grief and frustration. Some social media users suggested that the Vatican’s openness to millions of tourists each year might have contributed to a decline in respect for sacred spaces.

One user remarked, “Are we allowing the disrespect because we ourselves no longer demand any level of respect? Maybe it’s time to stop turning cathedrals into tourist attractions and enforce proper conduct.”

This is not the first instance of St Peter’s Basilica being targeted. In 2023, a naked man with “Save children of Ukraine” written on his back leapt onto the same altar, and earlier this year, another person was detained after defacing the site and damaging valuable candelabras.

Vatican officials have not disclosed the suspect’s identity, but Italian authorities confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. The Basilica has been temporarily closed for cleaning and a security assessment.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli