Security concerns rise as St. Peter’s Basilica experiences another vandalism incident

A security breach at St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, February 7, raised concerns about the safety of one of the most revered sites in Catholicism. 

A 40-year-old man of Romanian nationality managed to climb onto the main altar, knocking down six bronze candelabras dating back to 1865, each valued at 30,000 euros, and removing the linen tablecloth. 

The incident underscores the challenges of safeguarding religious landmarks amid increasing threats to sacred spaces.

The Vatican Gendarmerie swiftly intervened, restraining the man and taking him into custody before transferring him to the Italian authorities.

“This is an episode of 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,” the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told ANSA.

Despite the quick response of security personnel—who attempted to shield the event from public view—videos of the vandalism circulated widely on social media, sparking discussions on the man’s motivations and the effectiveness of security measures at the basilica.

The basilica's alarm was triggered as soon as the man placed his feet on the altar, leading to an immediate response from five members of the Vatican Gendarmerie. 

The damaged candelabras were recovered, inspected, and restored to their original positions. While the suspect was released after being charged with causing damage, authorities are reportedly considering barring him from residing in Rome.

This incident is not the first at St. Peter’s Basilica. In 2019, another individual climbed onto the altar under the baldachin and threw a candelabra to the ground, prompting similar security concerns. 

More recently, in 2023, authorities detained a man who had undressed at the high altar. Such recurring incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining security in a religious site that welcomes millions of visitors each year, particularly as Vatican authorities tighten measures ahead of the Jubilee celebrations.

Under Canon 1210 of the Code of Canon Law, only activities that promote worship, piety, or religion are permitted in sacred spaces, while actions inconsistent with the site's holiness are strictly forbidden. 

Following this latest act of vandalism, we expect the Vatican to review its security protocols to prevent similar disruptions in the future. Sources: ANSA, ABC, Vatican Press Office