Allegedly, the guard made a contemptuous spitting gesture at them.
“A contentious incident was reported at one of the guard stations, and, as happens on these occasions, an internal investigation has been launched,” said Corporal Eliah Cinotti, spokesman for the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
“This is standard procedure because the service must always be performed with the utmost professionalism.”
Regarding the content of the investigation, Cinotti explained that “it is an internal investigation and remains confidential”.
The alleged incident occurred at the entrance to the Arch of the Bells on October 29.
That morning, the audience was dedicated to the anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the 1965 ecumenical declaration by Pope Paul VI on relations with non-Christian religions, and the square was filled with representatives of other religions, including a large Jewish contingent.
One of those present, Michal Govrin, an Israeli writer and theatre director, gave her account of the incident.
“As a colleague and I—two women who are not usually recognisable as Jews—were entering a side entrance to St. Peter’s Square as part of an international Jewish delegation, a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard visibly hissed at us, ‘les juifs’ (the Jews),” she said.
“[He then] made a gesture of spitting in our direction with obvious contempt.”
If the incident is confirmed by the internal investigation, drastic measures can be envisaged.
At that very audience on October 29, Pope Leo XIV had said: “The Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights it, for the sake of the Gospel itself.” That statement was greeted with prolonged applause.
ANSA
