ROME (AP) — The Vatican said Monday it was investigating a possible antisemitic incident, in which a Swiss Guard allegedly made a spitting gesture toward two Jewish women.

The alleged incident occurred during a papal audience Oct. 29, at the entrance to St. Peter’s Square. The audience that day was dedicated to marking the anniversary of a 1965 declaration on the church’s relations with Jews and other non-Christians.

The alleged victims were part of an international Jewish delegation attending the papal audience, during which Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed Catholic-Jewish relations and vowed to fight antisemitism.

One of the people involved, Israeli writer and theatre director Michal Govrin, told The Associated Press the incident happened as she was walking with a colleague through a side entrance to St. Peter’s Square, as part of an international delegation of Jews.

One of the Swiss Guards hissed the phrase “Les Juifs,” or “the Jews” in French, as they passed, Govrin said in a written statement.

Govrin said her colleague turned to the guard and said, “You said ‘Les Juifs’,” to which the guard replied, “No, I didn’t,” and “You are lying.” He then made “a contemptuous sound of spitting toward us,” Govrin said.