Pope Leo Left in ‘Shock’ After Man Urinates Altar During Holy Mass

Tourists at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City were left stunned Friday morning after a man climbed onto the altar during a Holy Mass and urinated in full view of hundreds of worshippers.

The shocking act took place around 9 a.m. at one of the most sacred sites in the Catholic Church, right in the heart of the Vatican. According to Corriere della Sera, the man lowered his pants and relieved himself on the Altar of Confession — a central and highly revered area of the basilica.

Security footage and tourist videos show the man briefly exposing himself before quickly pulling his pants back up as Vatican officers rushed in. Plainclothes police removed him from the basilica while onlookers watched in disbelief.

There’s been no official comment from the Vatican’s press office, and it’s unclear whether the man was arrested or charged. However, Italian media outlet Il Tempo reported that Pope Leo XIV — the newly elected pope — was made aware of the incident and was “shocked” by the news.

This disturbing event isn’t the first time the altar has been the target of bizarre behavior. Just this past February, a man climbed the same altar and violently threw six candelabras to the floor. He then attempted to tear off the altar cloth before being subdued by Vatican security.

At the time, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni described the perpetrator as someone suffering from “a serious mental disability,” who was handed over to Italian authorities.

In another 2023 incident, a protestor reached the altar with the message “Save children of Ukraine” written across his back. He reportedly cooperated with officers and was escorted out without resistance. After confirming his identity, Italian police issued an expulsion order under the Italy-Holy See Treaty.

Friday’s defilement has reignited conversations around security at one of the world’s most visited religious sites. St. Peter’s Basilica, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church, welcomes around 10 million visitors each year.

Earlier this year, the basilica made global headlines again when Pope Francis’s body was moved there for public viewing. In a break from tradition, he was not buried at St. Peter’s, but instead at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

As of now, the Vatican has not confirmed the identity of the man behind Friday’s incident or whether he remains in custody. What’s clear, though, is that one of the holiest places in the world has once again become the stage for another unsettling moment.