Individual disrupts sacred space at St. Peter's Basilica, upending candelabra valued in the thousands.
In the heart of Rome, a video captured an unusual incident at St. Peter's Basilica. The intruder, identified as a Romanian individual, scaled the renowned altar under the famous stone canopy designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His antics included pulling off the altar cloth and sending six precious €30,000 ($31,000) candelabras crashing down. Security intervened before he could cause further damage, leaving stunned tourists in his wake.
This altercation took place during the Catholic Church's jubilee year, anticipating an influx of about 32 million pilgrims by 2025. To prepare for the surge of visitors, the basilica has made several adjustments, including installing protective glass around Michelangelo's Pieta sculpture. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time such an incident occurs in the sacred space.
In 2019, another individual hurled a candelabra off the altar, causing minor damage. St. Peter's Basilica has a history of seemingly inexplicable disruptions during major religious celebrations or jubilee years. For instance, a man disrobed and made his way onto the altar in 2023, a spectacle widely captured by bystanders. Back in 1972, a hammer-wielding vandal targeted Michelangelo's Pieta, necessitating the installation of protective glass.
The Vatican authorities referred to the recent incident as a situation involving an individual with "serious mental disability," who was detained by Vatican gendarmes and handed over to the Italian authorities for further attention. The events underscore the recurring security challenges faced by the Basilica during periods of increased activity, prompting discussions on the effectiveness of existing protective measures and the potential risks posed by such breaches.
The news of the intruder's actions at St. Peter's Basilica spread quickly, causing concern among travelers planning to visit the site. Despite the Basilica's efforts to enhance security, incidents such as these highlight the need for improved travel safety protocols during high-traffic periods.
