Italy: man stages vigil outside convent after ex-girlfriend becomes nun

A broken-hearted Italian man mounted a vigil outside a convent at Montecassino Abbey after his ex-girlfriend joined the Franciscan nuns.

Media reports said Daniel Briatore, 21, erected a banner on the Franciscan convent walls at Italy's Montecassino Abbey, south of Rome, in the hope his childhood sweetheart, Patrizia Masoero, will return to him.

"I didn't want to take you away, just talk to you, because I love you," the banner read.

The lifeguard travelled almost 400 km from Alassio to set up camp outside the convent after Ms Masoero, 21, dumped him a month ago.

Briatore, who had been in a relationship with Ms Masoero since they were teenagers, said he would do "whatever it takes", according to locals and reporters who joined him in his mission.

But a nun from the convent was not so supportive. "Our sister has chosen the path she wants. There is no point in him staying here," she was quoted as saying.

The nuns took Briatore's banner down but he said he will do "whatever it takes" to get her back, boosted by local villagers who are all said to be backing him.

Source: CISA