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Man Causes Minor Damage at St. Peter’s Basilica After Jumping onto Main Altar
A man caused minor damage at St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday after jumping onto the main altar and knocking over two 19th-century candelabra, valued at approximately €30,000 ($31,000). The incident, which occurred during a busy period of tourist activity, was captured on video and shared widely on social media.
The footage shows the individual climbing onto the altar, which is used for major liturgical celebrations presided over by Pope Francis. He is seen pulling off the altar cloth before being apprehended by Vatican security in front of shocked onlookers. The altar is situated beneath the basilica’s iconic stone canopy, designed by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which underwent a recent restoration.
According to Italian news agency Ansa, the suspect is a Romanian national. A Vatican spokesman described the individual as having a “serious mental disability” and confirmed that he was detained by Vatican Police before being handed over to Italian authorities for further investigation.
The incident comes as the Catholic Church prepares for its jubilee year in 2025, during which an estimated 32 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most significant religious sites in the world, has been implementing measures to accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors. These include the installation of protective glass in front of Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture, which was damaged in a hammer attack in 1972.
This is not the first time the basilica has faced such disruptions. In 2019, a similar incident occurred when a man threw candelabra off the main altar. The Vatican has since heightened security measures to protect its priceless artworks and religious artifacts.
The basilica remains a focal point for both worshippers and tourists, drawing millions of visitors each year. The recent incident, while minor, has raised concerns about the safety and preservation of the historic site, especially as the Vatican prepares for the jubilee year.
Authorities have not released further details about the suspect’s motives or condition. The Vatican has yet to issue an official statement beyond the initial comments provided to Ansa.
As the Catholic Church continues its preparations for the 2025 jubilee, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges in balancing public access with the protection of one of the world’s most revered religious and cultural landmarks.
News
Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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