WelCom June/July 2023
Two days after a naked man stood on the high altar of St Peter’s Basilica, the basilica’s archpriest on 3 June held a penitential rite as required by Canon Law in cases where sacred places are desecrated. Vatican News reported the unidentified man was a Polish national who approached the high altar on 1 June as the basilica was about to close. He quickly undressed and climbed onto the altar. Photos posted online showed the words ‘Save children of Ukraine’ written in marker on his back. When the Vatican Gendarmerie approached, the man did not resist as they led him to the police station inside the Vatican.