Pope Francis has ordered an inquiry into a shocking incident that erupted from the Vatican’s Swiss Guard. Specifically, on October 29, one of the guards potentially to stay on duty spat at two of the Jewish women, Michal Govrin, Tel Aviv-based author and playwright, and Vivian Liska, director of the Institute of Jewish Studies at the University of Antwerp, at the ceremony Michal Govrin. Their first week coincided with the 60th anniversary of “Nostra aetate,” a historic Vatican declaration that transformed relations between the Catholic Church and all non-Christian religions.
That fateful moment came when Govrin and Liska were walking toward one of the side entrances to St. Peter’s Square. Once inside, a Swiss Guard stopped them. Allegedly, he hissed and referred to them as “les juifs”— the Jews. When a bystander stopped a guard and requested a photo, it led to an explosive series of events. Govrin painted it as a time of scorn.
Cpl Eliah Cinotti, spokesperson for the Swiss Guard, confirmed that the guard involved has been put under internal investigation.
“This is standard procedure to be sure of the professionalism of the guards in service,” – Cpl Eliah Cinotti
That’s why, Cinotti said, the Swiss Guard wants to make clear they reject all forms of antisemitism.
“But to be clear – the Swiss Guard completely distances itself from any form of antisemitism,” – Cpl Eliah Cinotti
Nostra aetate, issued in 1965, remapped that history. It courageously turned its back on an almost two millennia old precedent, which held that all Jews, past and present, shared in the guilt of Jesus’ death. The declaration sought to promote improved relations between Catholics and Jews and focused on the need for making amends with those who have suffered from historical injustices.
Coincidentally, on the same day as this incident occurred, Pope Leo denounced antisemitism in a general audience. He reiterated that hatred and persecution against Jews must not be forgotten and underscored that “the first focus of the Nostra aetate was towards the Jewish world.”
Pope Francis a number of times have condemned Israel’s military response in Gaza. This has caused significant friction between him and the government of Israel. His position has raised the question of whether what Israel is doing is genocide or not. In these expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, he reiterated and restated his commitment to fighting antisemitism and advancing interfaith dialogue.
Yet the experience—more than three years in Liška’s past—still weighs heavily on both Govrin and Liška. Faced with this inequitable treatment, they called the DOT’s bluff and made a stink. What should have been a celebratory gauntlet became an alienating experience for them.