Vatican investigates Swiss Guard after allegations of an antisemitic incident in St. Peter's Square [View all]

Source: AP

By GIADA ZAMPANO
Updated 11:05 AM CST, November 10, 2025
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ROME (AP) — The Vatican said Monday it was investigating a possible antisemitic incident, in which a Swiss Guard allegedly made a spitting gesture toward two Jewish women.

The alleged incident occurred during a papal audience Oct. 29, at the entrance to St. Peter’s Square. The audience that day was dedicated to marking the anniversary of a 1965 declaration on the church’s relations with Jews and other non-Christians.

The alleged victims were part of an international Jewish delegation attending the papal audience, during which Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed Catholic-Jewish relations and vowed to fight antisemitism.

One of the people involved, Israeli writer and theatre director Michal Govrin — briefly reached on the phone by The Associated Press — confirmed comments she made in an interview with Austrian news agency Kathpress.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/vatican-swiss-guard-antisemitism-jewish-women-pope-leo-f270174110f18f5527a5c3a55800f10e