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Vatican Launches Investigation into Alleged Antisemitic Incident by Swiss Guard
The Vatican has opened an investigation into a possible antisemitic incident involving a member of the Swiss Guard who allegedly made a spitting gesture toward two Jewish women during a papal audience last month.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 29 at an entrance to St. Peter’s Square during an audience specifically dedicated to commemorating the anniversary of a landmark 1965 declaration on the Catholic Church’s relations with Jews and other non-Christian faiths.
According to Israeli writer and theater director Michal Govrin, who was one of the women involved, she was walking with a colleague as part of an international Jewish delegation when a Swiss Guard hissed “Les Juifs” (French for “the Jews”) as they passed by.
“We were totally shocked,” Govrin said in a written statement to The Associated Press. “Such an incident of Jewish hatred inside the Vatican?! In contrast to the Pope’s important words strongly condemning anti-Semitism and calling for collaboration and peace?!”
Govrin recounted that her colleague confronted the guard about his comment, to which he denied saying anything and accused them of lying. The guard then allegedly made “a contemptuous sound of spitting toward us,” according to Govrin’s statement.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that the Pontifical Swiss Guard had received a report about the incident, acknowledging that elements of the interaction were “interpreted as having antisemitic connotations.” Bruni suggested that, based on preliminary information, the episode stemmed from a disagreement over a request to take photographs at a guard post.
The alleged incident stands in stark contrast to the message delivered by Pope Leo XIV during that very same audience, where he emphatically stated that “the Church does not tolerate antisemitism and fights it”—remarks that reportedly drew prolonged applause from attendees.
The timing makes the incident particularly sensitive, as it occurred during an event specifically designed to strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations and reaffirm the Church’s commitment to combating antisemitism. The international Jewish delegation had been invited to the Vatican as honored guests for this significant commemorative occasion.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard, founded in 1506, is the world’s oldest standing military corps and serves as the Pope’s personal protection force. The elite unit is known for its colorful Renaissance-era uniforms and rigorous standards, with guards required to be Swiss Catholic men between 19 and 30 years old and standing at least 5’8” tall.
“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,” Bruni stated in response to the allegations.
This incident comes at a time of heightened global concern about rising antisemitism in many countries, with religious and political leaders increasingly calling for greater vigilance against all forms of religious and ethnic discrimination.
The Vatican has not yet released details about the specific guard involved or any potential disciplinary actions that might be taken pending the outcome of their investigation. Nor has the Holy See indicated whether Pope Leo XIV has been personally briefed on the matter.
Catholic-Jewish relations have improved dramatically since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, which repudiated antisemitism and rejected the notion of collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus. The October 29 audience was specifically intended to highlight this improved relationship, making the alleged incident particularly troubling for both Catholic and Jewish leaders working to strengthen interfaith dialogue.
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14 Comments
While the details remain murky, any hint of antisemitism within the Vatican warrants serious scrutiny. I hope their investigation gets to the bottom of what happened and leads to substantive reforms.
An antisemitic incident within the Vatican would be extremely troubling. I hope their investigation is thorough and transparent, leading to appropriate accountability and policy changes.
The Vatican must take this allegation seriously and address it transparently. Upholding interfaith respect and cooperation is crucial, especially within the heart of the Catholic Church.
I agree. Any hint of antisemitism within the Vatican’s ranks is deeply concerning and must be rooted out swiftly.
This is a complex issue that likely has nuances not captured in initial reports. I’m curious to see the Vatican’s findings and what steps they propose to prevent such incidents in the future.
While the details remain unclear, the alleged incident is disappointing given the Vatican’s efforts to strengthen Jewish-Catholic relations in recent decades. Robust follow-through on this investigation will be important.
Absolutely. The Vatican will need to demonstrate its commitment to its own values and principles in how it handles this matter.
The reported incident seems at odds with the Vatican’s efforts to build bridges with the Jewish community. A credible investigation that leads to real change would be an important step.
An antisemitic incident at the heart of the Catholic Church is deeply troubling. The Vatican’s investigation and subsequent actions will be crucial in restoring trust and upholding their values.
This is a complex and sensitive issue that the Vatican will need to navigate carefully. Upholding their principles of interfaith respect and cooperation should be the top priority.
Agreed. The Vatican’s response will be closely watched, and they must demonstrate a sincere commitment to addressing this matter effectively.
This is a troubling incident that goes against the Vatican’s stated commitment to combating antisemitism. A thorough investigation is warranted to understand what happened and ensure it doesn’t occur again.
The Vatican’s response will be closely watched. Maintaining interfaith harmony is critical, so they must address this sensitively yet firmly to uphold their principles.
This is a concerning development that challenges the Vatican’s stated values. I’m interested to see how they handle the investigation and work to repair any damage to interfaith relations.