Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and vicar general of the pope for Vatican City, presided Oct. 13, over a penitential rite of reparation following an act of desecration inside the basilica.
The ceremony began with a penitential procession at 12:45 p.m. local time. It took place at the main Altar of the Confession. According to Father Enzo Fortunato, director of communications for St. Peter’s Basilica, the rite focused on asking God’s forgiveness and purifying the sacred site. The cardinal sprinkled holy water and offered incense as part of the ritual.
A man, whose identity remains undisclosed, climbed onto the Altar of Confession and defiled it in a profane manner on Oct. 10, prompting Vatican security to detain him immediately.
Pope Leo XIV reportedly expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He instructed Cardinal Mauro Gambetti to restore the sanctity of the altar.
According to Catholic News Agency, this marks the third act of desecration at St. Peter’s Basilica in two years and the second in 2025. In February, a man damaged parts of the altar, and in June 2023, a protester disrobed at the same site.