Vatican City – A reported antisemitic incident allegedly involving a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard during the general audience of October 29 has sparked public debate in recent days and unsettled the world’s smallest army. According to some media accounts, the guard allegedly expressed disdain toward Jewish guests and made a spitting gesture in their direction. However, no concrete evidence supports this version; the Swiss Guard has launched an internal inquiry and contacted those involved.
The testimony of Liska and verified facts
The case came to light through an account by Gregor Maria Hoff published in the Austrian weekly Die Furche and subsequent interviews with Vivian Liska, Director of the Institute of Jewish Studies at the University of Antwerp, who said she was among those offended. Liska reports that the guard muttered the word “juifs” (“Jews”) and made a gesture as if to spit, though no actual spitting occurred. A security officer apologized on the spot; later, an officer of the Swiss Guard reached out to Liska explaining that surveillance footage does not capture audio and therefore cannot confirm the alleged words. The Guard’s leadership has since renewed its apologies and stated that disciplinary actionwould follow if any wrongdoing were proven, stressing that the reputation of the Corps is paramount. But where does the truth lie?
The context: Nostra aetate and the Pope’s appeal
The alleged episode occurred on the sidelines of a general audience in which Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Church’s commitment against all forms of antisemitism, as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Nostra aetate (October 28, 1965) — the conciliar document that reshaped relations with Judaism and other religions. During the same Roman days, Liska expressed discomfort at applause following a speech that criticized the “moral blindness” within the Jewish community and at inappropriate comparisons drawn between the war in Gaza and Nazism — factors that fueled a broader public controversy.
Ongoing investigation, no objective evidence
Available findings point to a key fact: no objective proof — audio or video — currently confirms the alleged verbal insult or spitting. The initial claim spoke of an actual spit, later clarified by the witness as merely a mimicked gesture. The Pontifical Swiss Guard has confirmed that an internal investigation is underway following standard procedures and that it remains in direct contact with those involved. Beyond the measures taken to protect its reputation, it is worth recalling that the moral and spiritual formation of these young men — who serve the Pope with dedication and sacrifice — makes such behavior highly improbable. They are Swiss citizens, French-, German-, or Italian-speaking, known for their profound respect toward both clergy and laypersons living in or visiting the Vatican City State. It is also hard to overlook the timing: the story surfaces just as international tensions rise over Zionism, antisemitism, and Gaza, and as some appear eager to draw the Vatican and the Holy See — and thus the Pope himself — into the controversy. The coincidence makes the affair all the more peculiar.
“Acriter et fideliter” — with courage and loyalty
Acriter et fideliter — “With courage and loyalty.” The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the armed corps of the Holy See, charged with protecting the Pope and his residence within Vatican City. Founded on January 22, 1506, it is the oldest standing army in the world. Today it numbers about 135 men, selected under strict criteria — Swiss citizenship, Catholic faith, exemplary military service, age 19–30, among others. Rigorous training, high behavioral standards, and the annual oath ceremony of May 6 define a military culture rooted in discipline, loyalty, and respect.
Analysis: when symbolism overwhelms facts
The episode is particularly sensitive because of its setting (St. Peter’s Square), its timing (Nostra aetate anniversary), and the parties involved (a Jewish delegation and the Papal Guard). For these reasons, public narratives demand proportion: an accusation unsupported by evidence cannot be elevated to a symbol of “antisemitism in the Vatican,” nor should it justify claims that an elite military corps condones hate-based behavior. The institutional response — swift acknowledgment, apology, and investigation — aligns with expected standards. At the same time, one must not forget the individual guardsmen, young men who could face unjust repercussions from unsubstantiated claims. Pending official findings, the allegations remain unproven. The instrumentalization of the case to implicate the Holy See, the Pope, or even the Papal Guard risks obscuring two essential values: on one hand, respect for those who feel offended; on the other, fidelity to the truth and justice for the accused. For its part, the Swiss Guard, faithful to its centuries-old tradition, continues to live by its motto: “Acriter et fideliter.”The real measure of this case now lies in the ability to seek the truth with rigor — and to avoid turning an unproven gesture into a theorem of guilt.
d.A.S.
Silere non possum