An unknown man urinates on the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

A man committing sacrilege at St. Peter's Basilica. Photo: Silere non possum

On October 10, 2025, a shocking incident occurred at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. During the Jubilee of Hope, as thousands of pilgrims were passing through the Holy Door, an unidentified man climbed up to the main altar of the basilica, lowered his trousers, and urinated on the sacred site.

According to the Italian outlet Silere non possum, members of the Vatican security service and gendarmerie intervened only several minutes later, after the act of desecration had already been committed.

Social media users have claimed that the man was a migrant, but this has not yet been officially confirmed.

This is already the third such incident in the past two years. On February 7, 2025, a man of Romanian origin broke into the altar and smashed six candlesticks, as well as removed the altar cloth. On June 1, 2023, another man, also naked, climbed onto the main altar with the inscription "Save the children of Ukraine" on his back.

Reference: According to Catholic tradition, pilgrims who pass through the Holy Door during a Jubilee year may receive a plenary indulgence (full remission of sins) under certain conditions. Jubilee years are usually held every 25 years, though extraordinary jubilees may also be proclaimed.

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