Members of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen held a rally against the “misogynist policies” of the Catholic Church by going topless in Vatican City after mass on Sunday, media reported.
Police were prepared for the appearance of the women, who arrived at the Vatican dressed in see-through black tops. Police arrested two of them outside St. Peter's Square, the Femen blog reported.
But one women managed to avoid police and stripped off her top directly below the balcony of Pope Benedict XVI's residence while holding up a banner that said “Freedom for Women.” She was immediately arrested.
The day before, other women took part in a protest a few blocks away, protesting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who faces charges of having sex with a minor. The topless protesters were painted in the colors of the Italian flag.
