Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A man attack and caused damage at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City after jumping onto the main altar and toppling 19th-century candelabrum worth thousands of dollars.
A video posted on X showed the altar attack incident occurring at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Friday morning (February 7). The incident comes ahead of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations in 2025, during which an estimated 32 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome.
The footage captured the man climbing the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, an area used for major liturgical celebrations led by Pope Francis. The main altar is situated directly beneath the basilica’s iconic stone canopy, designed by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which was recently restored.
Once on the altar, the man began kicking the candelabrum and removing the altar cloth before security officers intervened in front of stunned tourists.
A Vatican spokesperson confirmed that the suspect was detained by Vatican police before being handed over to Italian authorities for further proceedings.
According to CNN on Sunday (Feb 9, 2025), the perpetrator, identified as a Romanian man, is accused of knocking down a 19th-century candelabrum valued at approximately $32,000 (Rp504 trillion). According to Italy’s Ansa news agency, the man was reported to have a severe mental disability.
“This is an episode involving a person with a serious mental disability, who has been detained by the Vatican Police and then placed at the disposal of the Italian authorities,” Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, as reported by Ansa.
Similiar Incident
St. Peter’s Basilica has witnessed similar incidents in the past. In 2019, a man threw a candelabrum from the main altar. Another event in 2023 saw a man climb the high altar and undress before being arrested.
Security at the site has since been tightened to prevent further disturbances, particularly as the number of visitors to the Vatican increases in anticipation of the Jubilee Year.
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As part of preparations to welcome pilgrims, St. Peter’s Basilica has strengthened protective measures, including safeguards for historic artworks. One such precaution involves installing new protective glass in front of Michelangelo’s Pietà, which was attacked with a hammer in 1972.
Authorities continue to assess security measures to ensure the safety of visitors and the preservation of the basilica’s cultural and religious heritage.
(Raidi/Agung)
