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Andrew Medichini / AP
Italian businessman Marcello di Finizio stands above his banner as he protests on St. Peter's dome at the Vatican on Oct. 3, 2012.
Video footage showed the man, identified as Marcello Di Finizio, jumping over railings near the top of the 450-foot high dome on Tuesday afternoon, shocking visitors taking a tour. He then tied a cord to the railings and abseiled to a ledge over a window in the cupola.
Filippo Monteforte / AFP - Getty Images
Marcello di Finizio continues his protest on Wednesday. The businessman from Trieste in northern Italy managed to slip past security guards at the Vatican on Tuesday evening.
Tottering on the ledge, Di Finizio unveiled a banner reading: "Help! Enough Monti, Enough Europe! Enough Multinationals!".
Officials said Wednesday that the man, who identified himself as the owner of a beach resort, refused appeals from government ministers offering to meet with him if he would come down.
-- Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report
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Video shows and anti-austerity protester jumping the railing at the observation deck atop St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican to set up camp with a sign on the iconic Italian dome. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports.
Leave a Comment:
Can we afix Mitt the Twit to the exterior of the Morgan Stanley building, perhaps?
You are a twit.
@toredown
you are a complete loser.
He may be stupid but he has guts.
Props!
And thus the 'Occupy Really High Places' movement is born...
When people have nothing left to lose they lose it!! It's just a matter of time before it all comes crashing down in Europe and in America
I still do not understand how the EU allows the Vatican -- a sovereign country in its own right -- to exist. It is owned and run by a CHURCH, and even that church has been proved to allow pedophiles to continue to abuse children around the world, moving offending priests instead of jailing them. By the way, which OTHER church has its own jails, court systems, COUNTRY and absolute 'supreme leader'? At least they don't have their own Army! (but soon, maybe?)
Thanks for the anti-Catholic prejudice, but taking your argument at face value, every government has done terrible things. Every county that exists today has some history that would disallow its existance under your argument. Your comments are focused on the Vatican because your prejudice blinds you. Just say I hate Catholics instead of trying to sound rational.
You know, you're right! I don't understand why the EU allows Italy, a sovereign country in its own right - or for that matter France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Switzerland... well, it's a long list - to exist! If you don't know the history of Stato della Città del Vaticano, why not educate yourself. And by all means, you need some lessons in pedophilia as well. Catholic priests certainly don't have the market cornered.
Most sovereign states do have their own jails though I'm unsure whether there actually is one in the Vactican or not since it's only 110 acres and a LOT of denominations and churches own over 110 ACRES all over the world. And the Pope isn't know as the supreme leader - I think maybe you have him confused with the head of your KKK local. In reference to the Vatican, the Pope is the sovereign of the state.
Oh, by the way, I do believe Islam has its own law, called Shari'a - ever heard of it? I have an personally it concerns me whole a lot more than the possibility of the Vatican mounting a European invasion. Pinheads... we're surrounded by pinheads!!!
blah...blah...blah.....Two thousand years ago Jesus started the Catholic Religion. It WILL be with us FOREVER. Get over it.
pffft - he did no such thing.
Too bad he's not protesting on Obama's Newport-stained dome...
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the next prime minister of Italy.
The Vatican does have a military force - it's called the Swiss Guard.
There are plenty of other sovereign nations in the world that have an official religion or that are run by religious leaders.
As far as the scandals, that is not unique to the Catholic Church. Every government and religion has had their share of scandals. We need to get rid of systemic corruption in ALL organizations, not demonize just one particular organization/religion!
Might as well climb down, pal.
The game is rigged, the rich get richer.
Politicians, lawyers and bankers can go to hell.
Damn, but he looks pretty comfortable up there, don't he? I'd be hugging the hell out of that stone whatever-head, and as soon as the cameras've gone away, you'd see my ass getting off that ledge.
Got to hand it to the guy; he knows how to make a point.
A complete waste of time. The Vatican State is not a member of the European Union so what is the point?
What I want to know why is HELP in english?
A complete waste of time. The Vatican State is not a member of the European Union so what is the point?
But Italy is and he is Italian. He chose a well populated and oft visited building to place his protest.
@toreddown you are a loser
So, I don't get it. He doesn't like Monti, Europe, or multinationals (I assume he means multinational corporations?)? So what is he advocating, exactly? He'd rather Italy had Berlusconi back, break out of the EU, and only compete domestically? Given that he apparently runs a resort, and thus depends on tourism for his income, he seems an unlikely opponent of globalization. He should have used a bigger sign.
All European nations should have been left to their own accord, the EU should have never existed. It was a really stupid idea that is now ruining many countries in Europe.
Anti Austerity protestor. Pretty funny. Unemployment here doesn't pay enough to go to a resort. Note to self: Get with obama on that. I'm sure some 1% guy will foot that bill for me.