Man urinates on altar at Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica during holy mass, 'shocks' Pope. Video

Hundreds of tourists were left horrified on Friday after a man urinated on the Altar of Confession inside St. Peter’s Basilica during a 9 am holy mass, according to Italian media reports and the New York Post.

The unidentified man scaled the steps of the sacred altar — the spot where the sitting Pope traditionally celebrates mass — before dropping his pants and urinating on the holy grounds, Corriere della Sera reported. Videos captured by visitors showed the man exposing himself as he bent down to pull up his jeans after the act.

Police officers quickly intervened, dragging him away from the altar and escorting him out of the basilica. It remains unclear whether the man was arrested or charged.

The desecration reportedly reached Pope Leo XIV, who was said to be “shocked” by the incident, New York Post reported. The Holy See Press Office has yet to issue an official statement.

St. Peter’s Basilica, considered one of the most sacred sites in the Roman Catholic Church, has faced similar disruptions in recent years. In February, a man climbed onto the altar and knocked six candelabras to the ground. In June 2023, a nude Polish man leapt onto the same altar with the words “Save children of Ukraine” scrawled on his back. Following that episode, the Vatican performed a penitential rite to cleanse the grounds, the New York Post reported.