Police arrest man with knife near St. Peter’s Square in Vatican during Pope’s address

A man carrying a knife was arrested on Sunday during routine checks of people heading towards St. Peter’s Square, a police spokesperson said, on the day the pope gives his weekly address to the crowds.

The spokesperson said the man was a 51-year-old Italian who underwent checks in the morning in Via della Conciliazione, a road leading up to the St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

In a confrontation to disarm the man, one officer reported being lightly injury, police said.

The spokesperson added that there was no evidence suggesting the man was carrying the knife for terrorism-related purposes and he was arrested on charges of injuring and resisting an officer.

Ansa news agency reported that the arrested man suffered from a mental disorder.