People have been left outraged after a video of a Romanian man breaking into and ransacking one of the Vatican’s holiest sites has emerged online.
The footage, which has been circulated across social media, shows the unidentified vandal viciously kicking six golden candelabras from the altar of St Peter’s Basilica yesterday evening.
The shameless yob continued his rampage beneath the Baldachin canopy, stamping across the pristine white linen before pulling the cloth across.
Vatican city tourists watched on in horror as the man desecrated the place of worship as security staff rushed to apprehend him before he caused anymore possible damage.
A Romanian man was filmed ransacking one of the holiest sites in Christianity at the Vatican City today
Tourists watched in horror as the vandal viciously kicked six golden candelabras from the altar of St Peter’s Basilica
The altar is considered one of the holiest sites in Christianity having been built above the tomb of Saint Peter, who in the religion’s tradition was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
It is covered by the 29-metre Baldachin, comprising four bronze columns and a canopy by Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
As the clip continues to gain traction online, many angered onlookers have slammed the vandal as ‘disgusting’ for damaging the holy place of worship .
‘This is disgusted,’ wrote one viewer, whilst another penned: ‘May god forgive him.’
‘There is no more respect,’ said a person, with a fourth adding: ‘It’s not about religion, it’s the artistic heritage of humanity, you [are] absolutely despicable.’
‘It’s the gesture that worries, not the damage,’ one pointed out, as a concerned viewer chimed in: ‘Historical works of inestimable value.’
‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,’ one quipped.
One impassioned onlooker wrote: ‘I am not Catholic and I was overwhelmed with reverence in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Security staff rushed to the scene before he could cause more damage to the altar
Outraged viewers have taken to social media to brand the incident as ‘disgusting’
‘If you believe in Jesus Christ, then you have reverence for the ground in which the Vatican is built. You can feel it.
‘That young man knows not what he does and God forgives him.’
St Peter’s Basilica, which was first constructed in 1506 after its predecessor had to be demolished, is a major pilgrimage site for those who practice Christianity.
The site measures at around 190 metres long and 136 metres high, with the ability to accommodate 20,000 visitors.
The basilica is home to several well- revered sculptures including The Pietà – a sculpture by Michelangelo, and the statue of St Peter on his throne.
It is believed the Pope was not present at the time of the incident.
MailOnline has approached St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican’s Swiss Guard for comment.
