Vatican Swiss Guard below investigation for antisemitic incident | EUROtoday

The Vatican confirmed it was investigating a potential antisemitic incident, wherein a Swiss Guard allegedly made a spitting gesture towards two Jewish girls.

The alleged incident occurred throughout a papal viewers on 29 October, on the entrance to St. Peter’s Square.

The viewers that day was devoted to marking the anniversary of a 1965 declaration on the church’s relations with Jews and different non-Christians.

The alleged victims had been a part of a world Jewish delegation attending the papal viewers, throughout which Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed Catholic-Jewish relations and vowed to battle antisemitism.

One of the folks concerned, Israeli author and theatre director Michal Govrin — briefly reached on the cellphone by The Associated Press — confirmed feedback she made in an interview with Austrian information company Kathpress.

Govrin mentioned in that interview that – as she and a colleague approached St. Peter’s Square – a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard hissed “the Jews” at them after which made a spitting gesture of their path.

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“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,” mentioned Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, responding to reporters’ questions over the incident.

Bruni added that, based on a preliminary reconstruction, the episode indicated a disagreement had arisen over a request to take photographs at a guard put up.

On that very same day, addressing the viewers, Pope Leo mentioned “the Church does not tolerate antisemitism and fights it,” together with his remarks drawing extended applause from the gang.

Founded in 1506, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is the world’s oldest standing navy corps and is charged with defending the Pope.

“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 mentioned.