Man Sets Himself on Fire in St. Peter’s Square
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iStock/Thinkstock(VATICAN CITY) — A man doused himself in gasoline before setting himself on fire in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday. He is in critical condition.
Officials had no word on why the 51-year-old lit himself in flames. He was found with a piece of paper with his daughter’s phone number, according to The Guardian.
A Jesuit priest came to the victim’s aid, throwing his frock and jacket on top of the man. Shortly after, two police officers put out the fire with an extinguisher. They were later treated at the hospital for hand injuries and smoke inhalation.
The incident is similar to an instance 15 years ago in which Alfredo Ormando died after setting himself ablaze in St. Peter’s Square to protest the Catholic Church’s views on homosexuality.
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