Vatican Launches Probe into Swiss Guard Antisemitism Allegations
The Vatican has officially opened an investigation into a potential antisemitic incident involving a member of its prestigious Swiss Guard corps. The alleged event occurred on 29 October 2025, casting a shadow over a papal audience specifically dedicated to improving relations with the Jewish community.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to reports, the confrontation took place at the entrance to St. Peter’s Square. The alleged victims were two women part of an international Jewish delegation attending the audience. One of them, Michal Govrin, an Israeli writer and theatre director, confirmed in an interview that a Swiss Guard member hissed "the Jews" at them and then made a spitting gesture in their direction.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni acknowledged the report, stating that elements "interpreted as having antisemitic connotations were detected." A preliminary reconstruction by the Vatican suggested the episode stemmed from a disagreement over a request to take photos at a guard post.
Papal Event and Repercussions
The timing of the incident was particularly significant. The papal audience that day was intended to mark the anniversary of a 1965 declaration on the Church's relations with Jews and other non-Christians. During that very audience, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed Catholic-Jewish relations and vowed to fight antisemitism, telling the crowd, "the Church does not tolerate antisemitism and fights it," a statement met with prolonged applause.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard, founded in 1506 and the world's oldest standing military corps, is charged with protecting the Pope. In response to the allegations, spokesman Bruni stated the Guard "reaffirms its ongoing commitment to ensuring that its mission is always carried out with respect for the dignity of each person." The investigation is ongoing.
