Italian man eludes Vatican security to stage protest atop St. Peter’s Basilica

An Italian man who eluded Vatican security to scale the 130-meter (426-foot) high dome of St. Peter’s Basilica spent a full day Wednesday protesting the economic reforms that Italy has passed to combat its debt crisis.

The man, identified as Marcello De Finizio, the owner of a beach-front concession and restaurant in the northern city of Trieste, climbed up Tuesday evening. He has refused appeals from ministers, who offered to meet with him if he would come down.