Man sets himself on fire in Vatican

A man has been severely injured after setting himself on fire in St Peter's Square in Vatican City, church officials have said.The 51-year-old poured petrol over his body before setting himself alight on Thursday morning, the Vatican said in a statement, BBC reported.He was taken to hospital with severe burns on his upper body.The Vatican told journalists the motives for the man's actions remained unknown.Officials said a Jesuit priest walking across the square had tried to smother the flames with his cloak.He was then joined by two police officers who managed to put out the blaze with a blanket and fire extinguisher.The officers were taken to hospital and treated for "respiratory problems and burns to the hands", the Vatican said.It added that the authorities found a piece of paper with the phone number of the man's daughter near the scene of the incident.This is not the first case of self-immolation inside Vatican City. In 1998, Alfredo Ormando died after setting himself on fire in protest at the church's condemnation of homosexuality.ANN.Az