A man arrested for ramming his car through an entrance to the Vatican on Thursday evening had wanted to speak to the pope, qualified sources told ANSA.
Simone Baldovino, aged 40, had already tried twice to enter the Vatican on Thursday afternoon, but was turned away on both occasions by Swiss guards.
He is thought to have no link with the Vatican.
On Friday afternoon, following questioning by judicial authorities, Baldovino was admitted to the psychiatric ward of the nearby Santo Spirito in Sassia hospital for mandatory medical treatment, the Vatican Press Office said in a statement.
Earlier the Holy See said the man, who drove his car through the Santa Anna gate at high speed around 8 pm on Thursday, forcing two checkpoints and reaching the St. Damasus Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace before being arrested, had mental health problems.
He was examined by Vatican doctors, who found him to be in a “serious state of psychophysical alteration,” a statement said.
He was also reported to have a record for drugs offences.
Via Ansa
Photo: A Pontifical Swiss Guard at the San Damasus Courtyard in Vatican City. EPA-EFE/GIUSEPPE LAMI
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