The rite included a penitential procession, a penitential prayer, the reading of psalms, the sprinkling of holy water on the altar and walls of the basilica, and silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Vatican spokesman explained that it was a “liturgical act intended to reconsecrate the space and restore prayer and peace to it.”

This incident—the third in two years—has once again raised the question of protecting the dignity of the Vatican's main basilica. In June 2023, a naked man in his thirties climbed onto the main altar with the words “Save the children of Ukraine” written on his back.

In February of this year, a 40-year-old man of Romanian origin with severe mental disabilities climbed onto the altar under Bernini's baldachin and threw six candlesticks dating from 1865 to the ground.

In both cases, a penitential ceremony followed, which was held without public access.

The Vatican reiterated that St. Peter's Basilica remains first and foremost a place of prayer and tranquility. Following the incident, new security measures were put in place and the presence of the gendarmerie in the central areas of the church was increased.

The article originally appeared on the website DoKostola.sk.