A driver has crashed through the entrance gates of the Vatican City before being apprehended by police.
A statement from the Vatican says the driver breached security going at high-speed through an entrance gate and reached a central courtyard.
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Vatican gendarmes fired a shot the car’s front tyres but the statement said the driver was able to continue driving.
The driver eventually exited the car at the San Damaso courtyard and was immediately arrested.
The Vatican says the driver was about 40 years old and was in a “serious state of psychophysical alteration”.
It’s unknown whether Pope Francis was anywhere near the incident that took place around 8pm on Thursday night, local time.
The incident was a rare occurrence at the Vatican which has most of its premises limited to the public, particularly at night.
The driver remains in police custody and is believed not to be terror-related.
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