Pelosi’s trip to Rome was disrupted by violent anti-vaccine mandate protests

Anti-riot police officers face demonstrators during a protest against the obligation of green pass, in their attempt to reach Chigi Palace government office in Rome, Italy, on October 09, 2021.

Riccardo De Luca / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nearly crossed paths with thousands of people protesting vaccine mandates in Italy this weekend.

Pelosi, who was in Rome for a meeting with foreign leaders, was attending Mass in the city at St. Patrick’s Church. Outside the church, chaos was erupting as thousands of Italians took to the streets over Italy’s new requirement for workers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine in the form of a “green pass.”

Just minutes into the service, Pelosi and her husband were reportedly removed from the church by government officials concerned about her safety, according to a representative from Pelosi’s office.