Italian protester climbs Vatican basilica again

2014-12-22 1

A one-person protest has taken over St. Peter's Basilica.

Officials say Marcello Di Finizio scaled the facade Sunday evening and remained there overnight.

By Monday, Di Finizio had become another tourist attraction in St. Peter's Square.

Di Finizio, who owns a beach bar that rents out parasols and lounge chairs, says he's angry about a plan to auction off licenses to operate plots of beachfront.

He says the plan will favor multinational companies over smaller local businesses.

The plan comes from a European Union directive.

Di Finizio has staged similar protests before.

He's climbed St. Peter's dome three times in three years.

This time instead of unfurling banners, he's demanding a meeting with Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

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