Advertisement

Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, presides over a penitential rite on June 3, 2023, two days after a Polish man stripped naked and stood on the basilica’s high altar. | Vatican Media

Penitential Rite Held after Naked Man Stands on St. Peter’s Basilica’s Main Altar

Jun 3, 2023

Two days after a naked man stood on the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in a shocking security breach, the basilica’s archpriest on Saturday held a penitential rite as required by canon law in cases where sacred places are desecrated.

Latest headlines

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Mbanza Congo

Newly Ordained Deacons in Angola’s Mbanza Congo Diocese Urged to “be very attentive to the needs of all”

Today, May 4, We Celebrate St. Pelagia

Today, May 4, We Celebrate English Carthusian Martyrs

“Be serious in the business of forming leaders”: Bishop to Faculty of Newly Chartered Catholic University in Kenya

Auxiliary Bishop Appointed Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Ahiara Catholic Diocese

Members of the catholic Men Association in Malawi's Catholic Archdiocese of Blantyre. Credit: Episcopal Conference of Malawi

“Be good husbands”: Archbishop in Malawi Urges Catholic Men to Model Their Lives after St. Joseph the Worker

Trending

President William Ruto (right) and the Vice Chancellor of Tangaza University (TU), Fr. Prof. Patrick Mwania holding the logo of the institution. Credit: State House Kenya/Institute of Social Communication - Tangaza University

Jointly Owned Catholic University in Kenya Granted Charter, Urged to “promote access to affordable, quality education”

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo confirmed President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

Clergy, Laity in DR Congo Condemn Judicial Enquiry against Cardinal Ambongo as “shameful initiative”

Credit: CDTY

Catholic Bishop in South Sudan Directs Four-day “organized prayer” for Safety of Missing Priest, Driver

Pope Francis meets with 300 priests taking part in the World Meeting of Parish Priests on May 2, 2024, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

The Church Could Not Go on Without You: Pope Francis to World’s Parish Priests

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo (left) and Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior (right) during the 25 April 2024 press conference. Credit: ACI Africa

Church in Africa Acts on Synod on Synodality Call to “theological, pastoral discernment” on Polygamy, Creates Commission

“Be serious in the business of forming leaders”: Bishop to Faculty of Newly Chartered Catholic University in Kenya

Berhaneyesus Demerew Cardinal Souraphiel of Addis Ababa Archdiocese. Credit: CBCE

Easter in Ethiopia: Cardinal Emphasizes Need for Lasting Peace, Says “only way out of our problems”

Auxiliary Bishop Appointed Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Ahiara Catholic Diocese

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Mbanza Congo

Newly Ordained Deacons in Angola’s Mbanza Congo Diocese Urged to “be very attentive to the needs of all”

Religious leaders in Kenya during the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO). Credit: KCCB

Religious Leaders in Kenya “strongly urge” Legislators to Engage Citizens in the National Dialogue Committee Report

Videos