Forget the beautiful Italian beaches of Sicily or the Amalfi coast, one tourist decided to take a dip in the Trevi Fountain instead.

The sightseer was hauled out of the famous pool by Italian police after jumping in on July 27.

Lukas Vöhser Falcón, 18, caught the moment the man was escorted out of the Rome tourist attraction while visiting the fountain with friends.

Hundreds of stumped tourists watched on as the unknown man waded into the water before officers intervened.

Lukas, a mechanical engineering student from Spain, said: ‘Our last stops were Rome and the Amalfi Coast.

‘I was recording a video of the fountain and I saw the man jump in.

‘I think he just did it for fun – but five seconds later the police came and took him.

‘I don’t know where – I guess he went to the station.

‘Everyone was so surprised when it happened.’

This is not the first time a holidaymaker has decided to immerse themselves in the historic fountain.

One tourist from New Zealand was fined 500 euros (£431) after jumping in to the landmark in February.

Rome’s Capital Police told CNN that ‘alcohol was definitely involved’.

The Trevi Fountain was built in the 1762 and is a focal point for visitors who want to throw coins into the pool for good luck.

Over 1 million euros (£862,000) worth of coins are chucked in each year.

The attraction became so flooded with tourists that the Italian capital decided to introduce a new queuing system this year.

This keeps visitors in a queue of 400 people at a time, but they won’t have to rush as they walk from one end of the fountain to the other.

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Giovanna Maria Giammarino was a guide for around 25 people when tragedy unfolded in Rome.

Giovanna Maria Giammarino was a guide for around 25 people when tragedy unfolded in Rome.

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His obituary described him as a ‘simple and much-loved shepherd’.

A meeting between the pair, who last spoke in late February, caught attention after tensions boiled over.

A moment of history is unfolding in the Vatican City as an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics are preparing to bid farewell to Pope Francis during his final journey today.

For the first time in more than a decade, the world will watch the funeral of a pontiff – not one who resigned, but one who died in office – and crucially, one who broke Catholic convention by accepting LGBTQ+ couple.

It is one of the most significant moments in recent Catholic history – and one that will be remembered for generations to come.

Metro is on the ground in the heart of the Vatican, so follow along with us from St Peter’s Square.

What is the mood in the Vatican?

As clouds clear above the cobblestones of St Peter’s Square, the gates are overwhelmed with the crowds of mourners pouring from all directions.

Some are clutching rosaries, small flags and pictures of Francis, but most are armed with cameras and selfie sticks.

It is a well-oiled security operation by now – despite all the logistics. Official entry points, luggage scanners, checks every few metres. The perimetre is locked down and thousands of officers from Swiss Guards, Carabinieri andvarious branches of the Italian military are ensuring the safety.

For now, everyone’s eyes are peeled on the gates of St Peter’s Basilica from where Francis will begin his final journey. The weight of what is to come in the next few hours is hanging in the air.

Outside its walls, hundreds of thousands of people are lining the streets in the Italian capital to say goodbye to the pontiff and the number is expected to rise closer to the funeral.

For those still hoping to get to a vantage spot in St Peter’s Square, there is a level of anxiety.

Many have travelled from afar, so there is an additional layer of pressure to make the most of this historic moment.

What are the funeral plans? Schedule and route to burial site

The official ceremony will begin with the pope’s coffin being taken out of St Peter’s Basilica and into the square.

The funeral Mass is due to start at 10 am (9am BST) with a choir singing introductory rites in Latin.

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will deliver the homily and lead the Mass, which is expected to be con-celebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests near the altar, and more than 4,000 other priests con-celebrating in the square.

Francis will then be buried according to his wishes in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, outside the Vatican.

The last pontiff to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903.

The funeral cortege will travel to the basilica at walking pace, for around three hours.

Crowds are expected to gather along the route, which is 3.4 miles long and will pass by many of Rome’s famed monuments, including the Colosseum.

A group of poor people will be present on the steps leading to Mary Major to pay their final respects to Francis, reflecting his devotion to serving the poor and oppressed during his reign.

The burial will be a private service, but visitors to the tomb will be allowed shortly afterwards. The tomb will be inscribed only with the Latin name for Francis, Franciscus.

Who is attending the event?

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony in the vast square.

So far, at least 100 foreign delegations are among them, including some 50 heads of state.

Francis’ funeral will be something of a ‘spot the world leader’ game – but it is only a testament to the pope’s legacy and his reach beyond the Catholic Church.

Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump will soon arrive for the start of the procession after flying in last night.

Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William will represent the Royal Family in Rome, not King Charles.

Their presence is just one reason why security measures across Rome and especially inside the Vatican is tighter than ever.

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President Trump is expected to arrive later this evening (Picture: Shutterstock; Metro.co.uk)

Another security operation is unfolding in Italy – in secret, far away from the Vatican City – ahead of the arrival of Donald Trump.
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The break of protocol was permitted for one reason.

Today marks the final chance for people to file through the Vatican City before St Peter’s Basilica closes its Holy doors – and say their goodbyes to Pope Francis.

As dawn breaks over Rome, the queue to see the pontiff’s open coffin is already snaking past the colonnades.

It is a testament to Francis’ legacy after he reshaped the Catholic Church over his 13-year tenure.

All mourners want is a fleeting moment beside the simple wooden coffin of the pontiff under Michelangelo’s golden dome.

Francis has been laid in front of the Papal Altar, stood over by four Swiss Guards – the traditional guard of honour of the papacy.

It is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bear witness to a moment in history to be remembered for generations ahead.

St Peter’s Square had already transformed into a jungle – pilgrims praying, tourists clutching selfie sticks, TV crews rushing to find a vantage filming spot and Vatican volunteers shouting directions in half a dozen languages.

As the 7pm cutoff looms today, tensions are mounting and the atmosphere has shifted dramatically.

Some have come early – before work – to see if they can make it in time, but mostly the crowd is made up of Italians who had travelled from all corners of the world and tourist.

More than 61,000 people have queued to see the pontiff since Wednesday ahead of the funeral, Vatican officials said.

By nightfall yesterday, lines had formed for just under a mile north of the Vatican.

Some pilgrims reported waits – at some points during rainfall – of at least three hours to make it inside.

Late into the night, people were shown running to join the end of the queue for a chance to pay their respects to Francis.

They had left it until the very last minute in the hopes that mostly people would have surrendered and gone home.

St Peter’s Basilica had initially been scheduled to close at midnight on Wednesday but given the size of the crowds, officials kept it open until 5.30am before it reopened at 7am.

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For more stories like this, check our news page.

The Hungarian cardinal is one of the top candidates to succeed Francis (Picture: ABACA/REX/Shutterstock)

A hardline stance against LGBTQ+ marriage within the Catholic Church. A gatekeeper of ‘traditional family values’.

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