Vatican confirms investigation into alleged antisemitic act of Swiss Guard The Pontifical Swiss Guard this week opened an internal investigation to clarify an alleged act of antisemitism committed by one of its guards against two Jewish women in St. Peter\u2019s Square, the Vatican confirmed. \u201cThe Pontifical Swiss Guard received a complaint regarding an incident that occurred at one of the entrances to Vatican City State in which elements interpreted as antisemitic were allegedly detected,\u201d Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni stated on Monday. The reported incident took place during Pope Leo XIV\u2019s Oct. 29 general audience commemorating the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the 1965 declaration on the Church\u2019s relations with non-Christian religions. According to a Nov. 7 report published in Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Israeli writer and theater director Michal Govrin said a Swiss Guard \u201chissed at\u201d her and a female colleague, saying \u201cles juifs, the Jews,\u201d before \u201cmaking a gesture of spitting in our direction with obvious contempt.\u201d The two women were part of an international Jewish delegation in Rome to participate in Nostra Aetate anniversary celebrations, which included the Oct. 29 audience with Pope Leo in St. Peter\u2019s Square. During that audience dedicated to interreligious dialogue, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that \u201cthe Church does not tolerate acts of antisemitism in any form\u201d and reiterated \u201cthe Holy See\u2019s commitment to friendship and respect towards our elder brothers in faith.\u201d According to the Vatican\u2019s preliminary investigation, the complaint stems from \u201ca dispute that arose regarding a request for a photograph while on duty.\u201d Members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard are strictly prohibited from taking photographs with tourists or pilgrims while on duty. Bruni on Monday explained that \u201cthe case is currently the subject of an internal verification procedure\u201d and that this process \u201cis being carried out in accordance with the principles of discretion and impartiality, in compliance with current regulations.\u201d Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Swiss Guard, Eliah Cinotti, also confirmed that the alleged antisemitic incident involved \u201ca photo taken at a duty station\u201d in St. Peter\u2019s Square. \u201cThe case remains under internal investigation,\u201d Cinotti explained to ACI Prensa, CNA\u2019s Spanish-language news partner. \u201cThere will be no further comments on the matter,\u201d as the proceedings must remain \u201cconfidential,\u201d he added. In a Nov. 10 statement given to The Catholic Herald, Cinotti said: \u201cThe Pontifical Swiss Guard firmly distances itself from any expression or act of antisemitism.\u201d This article was originally published by CNA. Victoria Cardiel co-authored this article. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Kristina Millare Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article This is How You Get to Tor Vergata in Rome Bishop Robert Barron: A Call to Freedom and Joy Amidst Spiritual Crisis Pope Francis will not pray public Angelus from hospital on Sunday Discover the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy On World Refugee Day, Pope Francis urges action; companies pledge to hire refugees Why the Church Has Celebrated the Chair of St. Peter Feast for 1,600 Years<\/p>\n