The Vatican announced on Monday that it is conducting an investigation into a potential antisemitic incident involving a member of the Swiss Guard, who is accused of making a spitting gesture towards two Jewish women. This alarming event reportedly took place during a papal audience on October 29, 2025, at the entrance of St. Peter’s Square.
Details of the incident
On the day of the incident, the papal audience was held to commemorate the anniversary of a significant 1965 declaration concerning the Church’s relations with Jews and other non-Christian faiths. The women involved were part of an international Jewish delegation attending the event, which featured Pope Leo XIV reaffirming Catholic-Jewish relations and pledging to combat antisemitism.
Israeli writer and theatre director Michal Govrin confirmed to the press her account of the incident, which she initially shared in an interview with the Austrian news agency Kathpress. Govrin stated that as she and her colleague approached St. Peter’s Square, a member of the Swiss Guard reportedly hissed “the Jews” at them, followed by a spitting gesture.
“The Pontifical Swiss Guard has received a report regarding an incident at one of the entrances to the Vatican City State, in which elements interpreted as having antisemitic connotations were detected,” said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.
Papal response and historical context
Bruni further explained that preliminary investigations suggest that the incident arose from a disagreement related to a request for taking photographs at a guard post. During the papal audience that day, Pope Leo XIV stated emphatically that “the Church does not tolerate antisemitism and fights it,” eliciting a strong, supportive response from the audience.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard, established in 1506, holds the title of the world’s oldest standing military corps, with the primary responsibility of protecting the Pope. Bruni concluded by stating that “the Pontifical Swiss Guard, in keeping with its centuries-old tradition of service, reaffirms its ongoing commitment to ensuring that its mission is always carried out with respect for the dignity of each person and the fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination.”