A member of the Vatican's Swiss Guards is under investigation after allegedly making a spitting gesture towards two Jewish women in St Peter's Square. The incident occurred on 29 October as people gathered for a general audience with Pope Leo, during which he condemned antisemitism.
The women were part of a Jewish delegation attending the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate, a declaration on Catholic-Jewish relations. Michal Govrin, an Israeli author, said a guard 'noticeably hissed at us with deep contempt, “les juifs”' and made a spitting motion when challenged.
Swiss Guard spokesperson Cpl Eliah Cinotti confirmed an internal investigation had been launched, stating the guard 'completely distances itself from any form of antisemitism.' The alleged incident reportedly began when someone asked to photograph the guard.
Pope Leo, elected in May, used the audience to denounce antisemitism, echoing the 1965 Nostra aetate declaration, which repudiated the charge of Jewish deicide. His predecessor Francis also condemned antisemitism while criticising Israel's war in Gaza.
