VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The head of St. Peter's Basilica performed a special rite Saturday after a man stripped naked and hopped on the main altar with the words "Save children of Ukraina" written on his back.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti performed the penitential rite following the desecration of the altar with other priests and members of the faithful.
According to Vatican News, a Polish man approached the basilica's high altar on Thursday at closing time, undressed and jumped up on the marble altar. Photos of the incident showed the bald man in just black socks and sneakers with his back to the pews.
The man didn't resist when gendarmes approached and took him to the Vatican police station. He was handed over to Italian police, who issued an expulsion order requiring him to leave Italy, Vatican News reported.
CORRECTS CARDINAL NAME- Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, left, arrives to celebrate a penitential rite in front of the altar of the confession inside St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, June 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
CORRECTS CARDINAL NAME - Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, center, blesses the altar of the confession during a penitential rite inside St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, June 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
CORRECTS CARDINAL NAME - Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, center, blesses the altar of the confession during a penitential rite inside St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, June 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
CORRECTS CARDINAL NAME- Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, right, celebrates a penitential rite in front of the altar of the confession inside St. Peter's Basilica, Saturday, June 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)