Okay, this is quite bizarre.

A video that is making its rounds on X, shows a Cardinal from the Vatican kissing a 1,700 year-old skull before placing it into a golden bust.

The skull the Cardinal was seen handling is believed to be Saint Agatha’s skull.

Take a look:

And of course we have to give you the reactions:

Irish Star provided context to the video and gave further details on the ceremony:

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The 1,700-year-old skull is believed to belong to Saint Agatha, a third-century martyr and patron saint of Catania, Sicily.

The skull was temporarily removed from its original place as the Catania Cathedral was undergoing restoration. On Aug. 17, it was put back by Parolin, who bowed and blew a kiss on the skull before placing it back. This ritual is part of the Catholic rite of veneration.

The ceremony marked the 900th anniversary of Saint Agatha’s relics being returned to Catania from Constantinople in 1126.

Footage of the ceremony quickly surfaced on social media, shedding light on the ancient tradition followed in Catholicism. According to Catholics, the act shows respect to the saint rather than worshipping her remains, but has ignited debate around the veneration of relics.

Many non-Catholics said the ritual was “idolatry,” meaning the worship of a physical object or image as a God.

More footage of the skull:

The Daily Mail provided a Catholic’s defense of the ceremony and gave some background on Saint Agatha:

However, one Catholic wrote on X: ‘This is permitted by Catholic tradition through the solemn crowning of sacred images, an ancient devotional practice expressing honor toward Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the saints. ‘It is sacramental/devotional symbolism, not worship of the statue itself.’

Saint Agatha, born around 231 AD in Catania, dedicated her life to God, becoming a consecrated virgin, a state in life where young women choose to remain celibate and give themselves wholly to Jesus and the Church in a life of prayer and service.

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However, one man hoped to marry her and even threatened her with torture and death if she did not submit.

Agatha was then imprisoned and brutally tortured after refusing to renounce her faith, including having her breasts cut off.

According to Christian tradition, she died in prison around 251 during Emperor Decius’s persecution of Christians.

Agatha was later honored as a martyr and became Catania’s patron saint. Her relics were taken to Constantinople centuries later before being returned to her hometown in 1126.

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