- Vatican City police arrest an allegedly mentally unstable suspect who drove a vehicle through the Sant'Anna entrance
- The vehicle was initially denied entry but later returned at a higher speed to force its way through
- One guard shot at the car's front tires, hitting the front left fender but failing to stop the vehicle from moving
Vatican police arrested a suspect, believed to be mentally unstable, after driving his vehicle through the holy city's Sant'Anna gates.
The incident, which happened on the evening of Thursday, had the suspect drive past Swiss Guards and head into a palace courtyard, prompting authorities to fire at the vehicle. The car was initially denied entry by the Pontifical Swiss Guard, causing it to leave only to return at a higher speed to force its way through the entrance.
Vatican Police Arrest Trespasser to Holy City
One of the Gendarmerie inspectors guarding the gate to prevent the car from getting further through fired at its front tires. As per CBS News, despite the bullet making contact with the front left fender, the car did not stop its advance.
Authorities quickly arrested the suspect after voluntarily exiting the vehicle in the San Damaso courtyard. Doctors at the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State later examined the man in question, and they found him to be in a "serious state of psychophysical alteration."
The incident comes as it was not immediately clear whether or not Pope Francis was anywhere near the area. The religious leader lives on the other side of Vatican City at the Santa Marta hotel, where he normally has dinner and is retiring to his room when the incident occurred.
The driver ramming through the Vatican's gates is a rare incursion as most of its areas are off-limits to the general public. Despite visitors having access to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums during business hours, they need permission to enter other buildings in the enclave.
Swiss guards are in charge of the Apostolic palace, where the papal apartments are located, as well as key reception rooms, the Vatican archives, and officers. At the same time, gendarmes man various checkpoints, according to ABC News.
Mentally Unstable Individual
The latest incident is not the first time an individual with apparent psychiatric issues caused a disturbance at the Vatican City. In 2009, during a Christmas Eve Mass, a woman jumped over the barricade of St. Peter's Basilica and attempted to tackle Pope Benedict XVI. fortunately, the religious leader was not harmed, but a cardinal walking in the procession broke his hip during the altercation.
The incident comes before Australian aboriginal elder Dr. Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann is set to visit the Vatican from May 29 until June 3. During her visit, she is expected to speak on spirituality, ecology, and reconciliation between the Church and Indigenous Australians.
Baumann was also set to meet with Pope Francis during her week-long visit and attend several events alongside senior figures of the holy city, said the Vatican News.
