Suspect detained after works damaged at Vatican altar

On February 7, security at the Vatican apprehended a man who vandalized the main altar of St Peter's Basilica by jumping onto it and knocking over golden candelabra worth £30,000. The incident reflects the ongoing challenges of mental health as Vatican officials characterized the assailant as having a serious mental disability. The altar is significant, located above the tomb of Saint Peter, and is part of a building that recently underwent restoration in anticipation of the 2025 Holy Year Jubilee.

This is an episode of a person with a serious mental disability, who has been detained by the Vatican Police and then placed at the disposal of the Italian authorities.

To avoid making the structure appear overly bulky, Bernini opted for twisted columns, linked to the so-called 'Holy Column', preserved in the Treasury Museum of St. Peter's.

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